evangeli.net

A team of 200 priests comment on daily Gospel

200 priests comment on daily Gospel

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Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

Tuesday of Holy Week

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Gospel text (Jn 13,21-33.36-38): Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” (…). So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.

(…) Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, 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? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny 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.