Tuesday of Holy Week
The Gospel of the Day: John
13:21-23,36-38.
I will lay down my life for you. ß
Peter’s promise to the Lord.
We who know what will happen
soon look with pity on Peter’s promise—a promise he will not be able to keep.
His heart is in the right place, but his human weakness will not provide the
courage he would need to be able to make good on his promise. The ironic point,
however, is that eventually Peter will lay down his life for his Lord,
but a lot will have to happen until that moment comes to pass. Right now, Peter
isn’t capable, isn’t strong enough, and although he does have a good heart, he
doesn’t have the Holy Spirit yet, and he also hasn’t yet undergone the
experience of bitter failure and the forgiveness that will follow.
So right now, Peter makes a
feeble promise, not knowing what the future will bring.
Have you ever made a
promise that you weren’t able to keep?
Think about it. Don’t beat yourself up, but look at your failure
compassionately. What was operating at the time, despite your wish to be
able to fulfill the promise? Have you prayed for forgiveness---now would be a
very good time if you haven’t.
What’s more, how did your
experience of failure serve to purify you, to strengthen you, to make you more
compassionate when faced with the weakness of others.
This might also be a time for
you to look with compassion at anyone who may have broken a promise to you, and
to forgive, even if you don’t fully understand what happened.
“Father, forgive them, for they
know not what they do.” Apply that to yourself and then to anyone who may have
offended or hurt you. You will find peace if you can do this.
God bless you
No comments:
Post a Comment