Self Preservation
We all want to live, don't we?
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 afterwards.’ 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
On this Good Friday, we focus on death, possibly more than we have in the past, because the fear of death is all around us.
Peter saw the possibility of being persecuted alongside Jesus and he panicked, seeking to save himself. Who among us wouldn't do that?
As crazy and mixed up this life may be, we don't want to lose it. But perhaps we see ourselves as better than that, thinking we would stand by Jesus' side in his time of trial. Today's Gospel makes us think about that and wonder if we would or could do what Peter told Jesus he would do, which is die with him.
What is today about if it is not about going to the cross with Jesus? Each time we celebrate the Eucharist, we are sharing that last supper with him, just like Peter, and like Peter, we vow to follow him.
But as we get closer to death, our desire to live kicks in and we look for ways to avoid or cheat it. Jesus even asks to have the Father take this cup from him. It is in our nature to survive. So, we shouldn't feel guilty when we want to live.
And maybe that is how we are supposed to look at Peter. He is just being human, like us.
No judgment, just pure, honest truth.
So let us not give up the fight to live, and let us pray for all who are struggling right now, so they too can live.
There will come a time when we all lose that fight. But today, as we think of Jesus on the cross and the pain he endured for us, let us ask him for help for all in need of strength and healing.
More to come...