Memorable Moments
Today is not Peter's day.
Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward." Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times. - John 13:36-38
Tomorrow evening at the Easter Vigil service, we will read in the Gospel of Mark that Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome will be told to go and tell the disciples and Peter to go to Galilee to see Jesus after he is raised.
Why is Peter singled out? Is it because he denied knowing Jesus?
In the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus a few names stand out. Judas betrays Jesus, Pilate condemns him, and Peter denies him.
These are three memorable events and the people for whom we remember them. Judas will commit suicide, Pilate will fade into obscurity, but Peter will rise above his action and lead the church.
There is something worth noting about that.
If they hadn't been told to tell Peter as well as the other disciples, would Peter have been with them when Jesus appeared?
Mark doesn't give us a lot of details about the appearances of Jesus, and yet he makes a point of mentioning Peter by name. Could it be because Mark knows Peter has become the head of the church, or is he trying to tell us something about how God's compassion and forgiveness.
The way God sees us is much different than the way we see ourselves, and the way we see others.
We remember the failures of people. God reminds us of our successes, our joys, our struggles and our strengths.
For God, memorable moments in our lives are the times we come home to Him.
Peter was being called home. Come. You are needed. You are loved.
After promising to go to his own death with Jesus, Peter became afraid and denied knowing him. Imagine how he felt having heard Jesus was crucified.
All of the disciples ran away, and yet Jesus wanted to go to see them.
He would remind them that their faith was weak, but he would love them anyway.
As we make our way through these three days of death leading to resurrection, let us remember the moments of joy and compassion, love and mercy that are truly gifts from God.
And let us have faith in the hope of something good to come.
That is the Good in this Good Friday. And it is ours to carry and share.
More to come...