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A team of 200 priests comment on daily Gospel

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Liturgical day: Tuesday of Holy Week

Gospel text (Jn 13,21-33.36-38): Jesus was distressed in spirit and said plainly, «Truly, one of you will betray me». The disciples then looked at one another, wondering who He meant. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining near Jesus; so Simon Peter signaled him to ask Jesus whom He meant. And the disciple who was reclining near Jesus asked him, «Lord, who is it?». Jesus answered, «I shall dip a piece of bread in the dish, and he to whom I give it, is the one» (…). Judas left as soon as he had eaten the bread. It was night.

(…) Simon Peter said to him, «Lord, where are you going?». Jesus answered, «Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but afterwards you will». Peter said, «Lord, why can't I follow you now? I am ready to give my life for you». Jesus answered, «To give your life for me! Truly, I tell you, the cock will not crow before you have denied me three times».

The apostle: human weakness and divine call

Fr. Antoni CAROL i Hostench
(Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, Jesus is moved by the weakness of his own people. He knows that, within a few days, he will suffer a lot for our redemption. With discretion and deep feeling, he regrets that one of them will soon betray him. None of them think it possible. Simon Peter, who sincerely loves the Lord, makes all kinds of avowals. But..., actually, three days later, he denied three times to know the "Nazarene".

Hence the mystery of the weakness of the Apostles that Jesus Christ himself has chosen. Each and every one of us is —more or less— like Judas or Simon Peter. The biggest thing is that God keeps on calling us by his side. And he always forgives us if, like Peter, we are able to shed tears.

—Lord Jesus, I distrust my strength: without you I cannot follow you. Thank you, for you called me, but, please, do bear with me and do not abandon me even though I might abandon you. I beg Saint Peter that, with his heart, I may always return to God.