Tuesday of Holy Week!

We continue our preparation for the events that led to our salvation. In the gospel for today, John 13:21-33, 36-38, we see Jesus and the disciples reclining at table. Our Lord tells the disciples that one of them is about to betray him. Of course, they begin to question who it could be and Jesus tells them the sign, "It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it." Jesus takes the morsel, dips it, and hands it to Judas who takes it and leaves. Then, we have the discourse between Peter and Jesus. Peter assures our Lord that he wants to follow him and would even lay his life down for him, but Jesus says, "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." That is chilling because Jesus told Peter what would happen and as we read the passion narratives we see that is true. Peter did deny Jesus and once he heard the cock crow he went and wept bitterly. Simon Peter did not despair or lose hope. He knew what he had done was wrong but he knew that Jesus was loving, merciful, and forgiving. That is an example for us in our daily. Yes, we sin, we turn away from God, but we know that we can return and hopefully avoid those occasions of temptation and sin. As we continue our journey through Holy Week, let us be open to the grace that God provides and truly be prepared to celebrate the glory of Easter! Have a blessed day!!!