Simon Peter asked him, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus answered, 'Where I am going, you cannot follow now; but you will follow afterward' — Peter senses the impending departure but cannot yet grasp its meaning or its finality; he does not understand that Jesus speaks of death and resurrection, of ascension beyond the reach of mortal following. The "now" and "afterward" establish the two phases of discipleship: now, while Jesus walks visibly with them; afterward, when they will follow him in death and resurrection, in the way of the cross. The postponement ("cannot follow now") is not punishment but merciful: the disciples must be strengthened and transformed before they can walk the path of ultimate sacrifice.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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