Daily Lenten Reflections

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Tuesday of Holy Week

Reflection

Reflecting on the closing sentence of the Gospel reading for today, “…the cock will not crow before you deny me three times”. At the Last Supper Jesus anticipated Peter’s human frailty. He knew Peter would betray him; and we can imagine Peter’s silence was as hurtful as the sharp thorns and whipping. I trust we rarely or ever firmly and blatantly deny our beliefs or the teachings and institutions than sustain them. Nonetheless, there may be situations where we find it difficult to affirm these things.

We find ourselves in situations where conversation take an awkward turn and drift into matters of faith, religion and the Church. Maybe while riding in a car with the boss, laughing with friends at a party or catching up with family during a reunion. Do we stand up for what we believe, or do we clam up? Do we mumble a few words then change the subject or just walk away? Or do we take a deep breath and attest to our personal faith journey or how and why we cultivate our personal piety or engage in public worship?

Jesus knew it would be difficult for Peter and knows it can be difficult for us as well. As we try to overcome our frailty and drum up our courage we may fear challenge or ridicule or consequences from people who are important to us or who we care about. Might we find some assurance that even the great Peter who could not acknowledge Jesus did in time find his footing, his courage restored, and became among the deepest taproots of our Church?

Perhaps we should pray that we too find our footing, the right words and time to engage and affirm what we hold to be true and dear with strength and clarity.

Might we find some of that strength through praying today’s excerpts from the 71st Psalm:

Prayer

In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. For you are my rock and my fortress. For you are my hope. My mouth shall declare your justice. I proclaim your wondrous deeds. Amen.

Church Hindes, ‘69, Worshipping Community

Scripture

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

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry

The Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry at Saint Michael’s College is to share the Good News of the Gospel with the College community by facilitating encounter with Jesus Christ. We do this through the celebration of the Church’s Liturgy, in programs promoting knowledge of the Catholic faith, by developing ecumenical and interreligious relationships, and providing retreats and other opportunities for personal spiritual growth.

The Catholic and Edmundite tradition upon which the College was founded is grounded in the conviction that all women and men are created in the image and likeness of God providing a special dignity unique to each person. Such dignity requires human life to be respected in all of its stages recognizing that we are all children of God.

Therefore, in its pursuit of furthering the Reign of God, the Edmundite Campus Ministry staff seeks to interact with and support every member of the College community in their search for Truth, contributing to the “enhancement of the human person and to the advancement of human culture in light of the Catholic faith.”