Committed
How strong is your faith?
Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, 'This man also was with him. But he denied it, saying, 'Woman, I do not know him.' . - Luke 22:56-57
In today's Gospel, Peter denies that he knows Jesus.
It is interesting that we read this as we prepare for Christmas. We should be getting ready to commit to following Jesus, rather than be reminded that one who witnessed firsthand God saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased" could walk away from him in his hour of need.
Perhaps the message here is not of denial but of commitment.
Peter never intended to deny Christ, but in the moment he panicked. All he could think about was saving himself. And once he had done that once, he was committed to stick to his story.
Peter would go on to be a strong supporter of the faith, leading others to believe as he had believed. And it could be that because he had failed to stand by Jesus in his final hours, he was all the more committed to helping others find him.
So, as we welcome God coming among us as a child, we are reminded of our commitment to God. The baby will not survive without someone to care for him and protect him.
It is a sign of our need to be and stay committed to God in our lives. Once we say "Yes" we accept the responsibility to be there for God, as much as God is there for us.
So, I guess it makes sense that we would need to be reminded that we could walk away at any time. We could, like Peter, deny our commitment and think only of ourselves.
It is our option, given our free will. We can say "I do not know him."
As I prepare for Christmas, I need to remember that commitment to God. In every encounter, I need to remind myself that God is with me. So, when I feel the need to focus on my needs rather than answer His call to serve, I will stop and take notice.
Like Peter, I might slip and forget. But I can also turn back and be an advocate of the faith.
So, I ask God to help me to put His will before mine, and to be prepared to acknowledge His role in my life.
It may not be easy. But it will be worth it.
More to come...