Tuesday of Holy Week

Reflection

Today’s Gospel reading is a real downer.  Both Judas and Peter, trusted disciples, betray Jesus at a crucial moment.  It’s an uncomfortable reminder of our human nature, and how often we fail God in our daily lives.  Fortunately, Isaiah offers comfort, reminding us: “The LORD has spoken, who formed me as His servant from the womb.”  Psalm 71 echoes this:  “On you I depend from birth; from my mother's womb you are my strength.”  We were created by God, with all our failings, to serve and be strengthened by God. 

Oddly enough, this reminds me of The Series of Unfortunate Events by Daniel Handler. These zany tales of woe take on a serious moral tone as the series progresses. Choices are framed as either noble or villainous, but by Book 12, The Penultimate Peril, the Baudelaire children realize that we are all “a mixed bag.” They look back on their Judases and Peters – the many adults who failed them – and also evaluate their own actions which in every book lead (to their dismay) to disaster. They want to be noble, but fear they are not.  In this painful moment of repentance, one adult character — for once — does not fail the children. Without dismissing their concerns, he tells them simply, but with great compassion: “You are noble enough.”

We fail, but we are God’s creation.  We are noble enough. 

Prayer

Lord, remind me each day that I was formed to be Your servant.  Strengthen me to do Your will.

Helen Donahey, Administrative Assistant, Office of the President

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 71:1-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15, 17
Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website