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Home Sections The Daily B.R.E.A.D. April 7, 2009 - Tuesday Meditation (Betrayal or Denial?)
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Sections - The Daily B.R.E.A.D.
Wednesday, 01 April 2009 03:48
It is in the Pentecost experience that we find hope for overcoming the human weaknesses we find in today’s Gospel. It is through the Spirit that Peter becomes the man that will lead...
 
 
Tuesday of Holy Week
Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17
John 13:21-38 21 When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus; 24 so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks." 25 So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast"; or, that he should give something to the poor.30 So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night.  31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; 32 if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going you cannot come.' 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." 36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward." 37 Peter said to him, "Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." 38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.
 
 
 
 
Meditation by Mike Cherney
 
For me Holy Week is often a time of anguish. On Ash Wednesday I was reminded how I think about Lent. I cannot remember what the person distributing the ashes said, but I remember they were words of hope. I realized instead I wanted to hear the traditional “Remember man that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”  Lent brings me to terms with my human weaknesses. I find myself insubstantial in body and frail in will. Today’s Gospel reinforces my sense of human weakness in general. We read about the events preceding two of Jesus’ own apostles turning against Him. Jesus predicts Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial.
I think Judas and Peter were people who were finding themselves in difficult situations. I think about how I respond when I am challenged. I try to avoid trouble. One could argue this is a natural and perhaps even a healthy human reaction. I think both Judas and Peter were exhibiting this type of response. These were the men closest to Jesus, yet they turned away. Were these acts of pure evil? The Gospel seems to suggest that at least in Judas’ case it was. I am not sure.  These would be dangerous and even life-threatening circumstances for these men. I need to admit that when I face serious challenges I consider the alternatives. Judas was clearly concerned about the events of the week. He likely was worried about how the authorities would respond to the Jesus situation. He may have felt pressure from his religious leaders. Peter would be challenged in the presence of the civil authorities. It is not clear how much time Judas had to reflect about his actions. My impression is Peter had very little time. In addition I think Peter’s personality would likely encourage him to respond before he was completely ready. My feeling reading the Gospel was that these were two men hurled into situations that would challenge most of us as humans.
The Holy Week and Easter stories do offer hope from the perspective of salvation history. The first reading reflects a Divine call. In a Holy Week context we see Jesus fulfilling the role described in this call. Nevertheless the promise of the Easter Season does not bring much resolution to my Holy Week feelings or to the questions of human response posed by today’s Gospel. More than in the things that will transpire in the next few days of Biblical chronology, I find greater hope in that which is still two months away in the New Testament. The events that draw out my faith will be the events of Pentecost. I believe that it is the arrival of the Spirit that truly offers some resolution to the human conflicts that Holy Week presents. It is in the Pentecost experience that we find hope for overcoming the human weaknesses we find in today’s Gospel. It is through the Spirit that Peter becomes the man that will lead and it is through the Spirit that the words of Isaiah become words that can fit all Christians not just the Christ. The Spirit gives us the same confidence in the Lord that the psalmist expresses.
 
My prayer today is for a better awareness of Jesus’ special role in the Good Friday and Easter events. I further pray for the Lord’s patience with all of us who show human weaknesses. I finally pray for the strength and renewal that the Spirit will bring.
 

 
 
Supplementary Reading
Rainbow of Promises 
 
"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." – Genesis 9:13
 
The story of Noah and the ark is one of promise. God's people turned their backs on God, but he reached out to Noah and his family to preserve a remnant of his creation. Noah honored God's call, and in doing so, saved his family and himself from utter destruction from a flood. As a symbol of his promise never to cover the earth again with a flood, God set a rainbow in the sky.
Next time you see a rainbow remember that God always keeps his promises. But you don't have to see a rainbow to know and rest on that assurance. God is a God of positive promises. He has promised never to leave you or forsake you and that you can have an abundant life.
Claim his promises today and believe in them! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

* * *
God's promises are scattered all through his Word. Today, choose one or two Bible passages and look for his promises as you read. Then take a few minutes to thank him for the promises you found while reading.
* * *
 
Note:   This excerpt was taken from the  "Power for Life Daily Devotional" 
 
 
GOD BLESS US ALL!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com http://www.mabuhayradio.com/Sections/SunSermon.html

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You have to accentuate the positive,eliminate the negative,and latch on to the affirmative.Don't mess with "Mr. In-between".~Louis Armstrong