Good Friday

I was reading in my Magnificat about Judas and Peter's denial of Christ. Of course there is a major difference between Judas' decision to deny and Peter's decision to deny. Judas denied Christ without love in his heart. He did so knowing that the outcome would result in Christ's death. Judas committed the act of denial and then remained cold with no remorse. He knew that he was severing and opportunity to be in communion with the Father and would spend eternity separated from God. Peter on the other hand immediately repented and felt terrible for what he had done. He knew instantly that his decision to deny Christ would hurt his God and effect their relationship. He had no intention of wanting to be separated from God but reacted out of fear and human weakness.

I think the offense that Peter made is something I can relate to. Fear and human weakness? Check. I use to wonder how a person could openly deny Christ. Christ is walking next to you and you are still unable to support Him. He is about to be beaten and killed and still you deny. But as I have grown older I have been able to identify the many, many ways that I deny Christ in my daily life as He walks next to me.

There have been many a time that I have denied Christ through keeping silent about an issue. Or being hurtful to my neighbor (not my real neighbor of course, but you know what I mean). Or choosing to watch mindless television and then being too tired to get my rosary in. The good news is even though Peter denied he reacted with true remorse in his heart. He repented and made his path straight. And can you imagine the feelings of guilt Peter must have felt right after? He automatically knew what he had done and it was overwhelming. Not to mention Christ was being sent to His death. I feel sad for Peter at that time. Maybe it's because I can relate to his feelings of fear and the realization that human weakness has trumped my ability to be strong for the Lord. And maybe its because I can relate to the love he had for his friend and mentor.

And in turn Christ made him the rock on which the church was built. Can you imagine?

Christ calls Peter out before the denial by telling him that he is going to openly state that he is not a friend of Jesus.

Peter says, 'No way! Not me Lord!'

Then Peter denies just as predicted.

Christ forgives him.

And then allows him to lead the Church as the first Pope.

How incredible is our God???

It definitely gives me hope. I am filled with human weakness. I am sinful. And today Christ dies upon the Cross for my weakness, my sin. Today is the day that I look at my denial of Christ and ask him to make me anew..... and now we wait for the Son to rise again.

May this Good Friday be a time of reflection and renewal in your life. Christ's peace.