“MYOB”…….”Mind Your Own Business”

I can still hear my mother in exasperation saying, “MYOB”. Whenever we were snooping around or asking the wrong question, she would say “this is none of your business”. If that didn’t work she would increase the admonition to “stop being a  “buttinsky”. No one  wanted to be called a “buttinsky”. 

It appears that St. Peter may have had a tendency to be a “buttinsky” at times and Jesus had to tell him “MYOB”. In John’s gospel, “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 21:20-25) Peter, MYOB…mind your own business…what is that to you…you follow me.

Don’t worry about other’s business….don’t worry about their call or their gifts or blessings, you follow me. Yes Lord, but what about Herb who has more money than me or Chuck who has a bigger house or LuLu who has more gifts than me or Oswald who has better health than me…what about them? “David, MYOB ! What is that to you…you follow me.” The bottom line is to follow the Lord, to do what he’s told me to do. If I do, all will be well with my soul. I will be happy, I will be grateful, I will have joy. 

This can be “dangerous territory”. When we don’t mind our own business, jealousy and even envy can sneak in. These can lead to sadness, to greed, to resentment and  bitterness. It can destroy relationships…our relationship with God and with one another. So it’s important to “cut it off at the pass”…..”MYOB”. When we discover jealousy or envy in our soul, let’s be quick to repent and ask the Lord to free us from it. Focus on gratitude. Thank God for all he has done for us. Rejoice in the gifts and blessings he has given to each of us. Thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed on those around us. It’s all good.