It's Tuesday of Holy Week. Today's first reading is the Second oracle of the Servant of the Lord from Isaiah 49. In the Gospel reading, we focus on Peter from John 13.
Judas has just left from the Last Supper. Jesus tells the Eleven that he is going away, and that they cannot come with Him. Peter says, "Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answers, "Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times."
Magnificat Magazine has shared a reflection from Pope Benedict XVI that I'll share with you.
We have grown accustomed to making a clear distinction between Peter the rock and Peter the denier of Christ - the denier of Christ: that is Peter as he was before Easter; the rock: that is Peter as he was after Pentecost, the Peter of whom we have constructed a singularly idealistic image. But, in reality, he was at both times both of these... has it not been thus throughout the history of the Church that the pope, the successor of Peter, has been at once Petra and Skandalon - both the rock of God and a stumbling block? In fact, the faithful will always have to reckon with this paradox of the divine dispensation that shames their pride again and again. (Pope Benedict XVI)
Father, you know that we, too, vacillate between a rock and a stumbling block. May our faith in Christ be always increasing. Amen.
A most touching reflection for us all
Thank You, Gus! I often say that when I get to heaven 🤞I first want to see God, The Father to make sure I’m in the right place, 🙏🏻 then St. Peter! We have a lot to talk about since we are so similar! ❤️