+ The drama of the great salvation events is beginning to unfold
rapidly now: in the first reading we are reminded by Isaiah
the prophet that a primary activity of the upcoming tragic events, when the God
/ Man will be killed by jealous, envious and frightened people, with darkened,
closed, and self-seeking minds: it was to bring Light to this very cursed
darkness that he went through with all of it.
And how great the darkness
was: for thousands of years only those who were gifted with a glimmer of the
forthcoming light, the chosen people of God – were the bearers true hope.
In the gospel passage on this
Tuesday of Holy Week we see an example of two who wrestle, in the very presence
of Jesus, while the salvific events were unfolding, with the darkness: one
fatally so, and the other mercifully temporarily.
Judas Iscariot was destined to
act as betrayer of Jesus, to hand him over to the Romans for “processing” – but
he always had the preeminent choice of free-will. His life did not have to end
tragically.
Peter on the other hand denied
he even know Jesus, again as a predetermined part of the whole amazing drama –
but once he play his part by saying what he said: so that we could hear that
sometimes it is possible for us even now – to deny Jesus, by selfish choices to
save our own skin – that we can change our minds, and even weep for our “hour
in the darkness”!
Later Jesus would use the same
three-part dynamic for Peter to affirm his love for Jesus, and to do what he
intends for Peter to do: as the head of the apostles and the Church of Christ’s
Mystical Body! "Feed my lambs, feed my lambs, feed my sheep!"
This is the Week when we slow
down, pause, and in silence reflect on our real relationship with Jesus, and if
there are any modifications to make deep in our hearts, then we make them, with
tears and sighs and inexpressible remorse, sometimes, as we will look up at
him, on Friday afternoon, of the One, our sins put there!
Hail
to you, dear Jesus, our Lord and King, who has been led to your crucifixion
like a gentle lamb to the slaughter.
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