Word to the Wise
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - Holy Week - Tues
[Isa 49:1-6 and John 13:21-33, 36-38]TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017. TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK [Isaiah 49:1-6 and John 13:21-33; 36-38] Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, "Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." [John] The scene in today's gospel scripture takes place after Jesus washed the feet of the disciples (including Judas!). The accent is on betrayal. While Judas is identified as the betrayer, there is another potential betrayer in the group! It is Peter, who makes a dramatic proclamation of loyalty. He will make an equally dramatic denial of Jesus before the cock crows. Then, in Cahpter 21, he will once more protest his love and loyalty in response to Jesus' triple question, "Do you love me?" The two different betrayals are worth our reflection. Judas' betrayal suggests he had lost his faith in Jesus, even after all they had gone through together over the course of Jesus' ministry. The narrator says that the devil had induced Judas to hand Jesus over. There is a finality to that decision. With Peter, we have the all too human phenomenon of fear. He could draw a sword in the garden but he could not admit to being a supporter in the High Priest's courtyard. It seems like simple cowardice. He may be the character with whom we can readily identify ourselves in this scene. How often do we proclaim our love and loyalty to Jesus only to deny him when challenged? If we are going to walk with Jesus through this week, how strong is our resolve? The disciples ran away! What will we do? AMEN
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