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Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” John 21:20–22

Just before today’s Gospel, Jesus foretold Peter’s martyrdom and concluded by saying, “Follow me,” calling Peter to focus on his mission of discipleship. Upon learning of his own fate, however, Peter became curious about John’s: “Lord, what about him?” Jesus gently redirects him: “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” Jesus’ words remind us of a crucial truth: We must focus on our personal call to follow Him rather than giving in to unhealthy curiosity.

Knowing and loving others as friends, listening to their joys and struggles with charity, differs from idle curiosity. True knowledge of someone builds selfless and loving relationships, giving us a share in God’s relational nature. The Father knows and loves the Son, and the Son knows and loves the Father, and from that love the Holy Spirit proceeds. In contrast, idle curiosity—“knowing about” someone for the wrong reasons—can lead to pride, judgment, or distraction.

In and of itself, the desire for knowledge is neither good nor bad; it is a natural inclination given to us by God. It becomes good when it leads to a desire to know the truth, particularly about God, Creation, and all matters that lead us to greater holiness. Saint Thomas Aquinas distinguishes between curiosity, the disordered pursuit of knowledge, and studiousness, a moral virtue that directs our natural desire for knowledge toward good and necessary ends. He describes studiousness as a form of temperance for the mind—a habit that moderates and orders our desire for knowledge so that it serves truth, virtue, and ultimately, God’s glory.

The desire for knowledge becomes disordered when it serves no good purpose, distracts us from our duties, or stems from pride, sensual desire, or an unhealthy fascination with evil. It is also disordered when worldly knowledge dominates our minds, drawing us away from God and spiritual matters. For example, our world is often flooded by shocking and sensational stories. Though there is a value in news stories, they can distract us from our mission and lead us into sin. 

Adam and Eve’s fall resulted from pride and an unholy desire for knowledge they did not need, as the fruit was “desirable for gaining wisdom” (Genesis 3:6). Like Peter’s question about John, their distraction led them away from trust in God’s plan. Jesus’ gentle correction reminds Peter—and us—of what truly matters.

Reflect today on the importance of getting to know others and the danger of being overly curious to know about them. There are many things we do not need to know; it takes temperance of the mind to discipline ourselves so that we remain focused on our God-given responsibilities. Intemperance of the mind, stemming from pride, leads to gossip and judgment. Hence, we must continuously hear Jesus remind us: “What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”

All-knowing Lord, You know me through and through, my every action, thought, and desire. You know my sin and my virtue, my weaknesses and joys. Please give me a healthy desire to know You and all that is necessary for me to fulfill Your will. Please also purify my disordered curiosity so that I remain charitable to all and undistracted from my mission. Jesus, I trust in You.  

Image: Christ's Charge to Peter by George Baxter

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