March 22, 2016 – Tuesday in Holy Week

Saint for the day: Nicholas Owen (died – 1606)

Scripture Readings for today’s Liturgy:

Isaiah 49:1-6

Psalm 71

John 13:21-33, 36-38

Peter says, “though others may deny you I will never!”

In these last days of Lent, and as we enter into Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum we are given a compendium of scripture readings that seem to repeat what we’ve already heard. We have to be careful that we don’t take a “been there, done that” attitude and miss the importance of knowing our own, personal frailty up against the limitless mercy and love of God.

Judas, a figure that often gets a “bad rap,” appears as a central character in the Scripture readings of these days. We have to ask ourselves why the Gospel writers focus so much on him and don’t even mention any of the others – besides Peter and John. So, today we are presented once again with two characters that represent the two sides of our own lives. Judas, the silent, shadow man is given only a few lines to speak in the Scriptures yet has actions that speak louder than words. Peter, on the other hand, is quick to say that he will never deny Jesus. Two men who represent the two sides of the same coin that exists in all our lives. There are times when we prefer to live in the shadows and times when we are bold, right out there on the front lines. There are some who say Judas should be a saint since he contributed to Christ’s arrest and crucifixion that brought about our redemption. But that’s not the point. What we need to take from today’s liturgy is the reality that we carry within ourselves both of these characteristics and we need to own up to our own shortcomings. Remember that Gospel parable where the father asks each of his two sons to go out into the field to work. One says, “No, I won’t go” but later changes his mind and does. The other says, “Yes, I’ll go” but doesn’t. As we continue through this Holy Week we’re given the chance to look at our own lives and see how Judas and Peter, two followers of Jesus, represent parts of our own lives. There are times when we prefer to live in the shadows and times when we are bold, right out there on the front lines. In both cases we need to remember that God will always call us back. That’s why He loved us “even to death on the cross!” Amen!