April 2, 2023: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Gospel: Excerpt from Passion Reading, Matthew 26:31-35
Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed; but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise.
Reflection
This passage near the beginning of the Passion narrative captures an interesting conversation in the Mount of Olives between Peter and Jesus. We’ve certainly encountered this brash and bold side of Peter before, so his comments are not too surprising! He is already in denial about his future actions: “My faith in you will never be shaken … even if I have to die with you!” We already know what Peter will do and his words come back to haunt him when he hears the cock crow after he swears by God, “I don’t know the man.”
I have to ask myself, how am I like Peter? The thought that came to me was that it is so easy in the quiet of my prayer space to talk to God about my day. How I will treat so and so with attentiveness; how I will not be sharp with that sister that pushes my buttons … you get the picture. Once out of that space, when I encounter the person, however, I often forget my plans and, in effect, deny that I had that conversation with God earlier in the day.
Action
Let’s be aware of our good intentions at prayer each day this week and vow to match our actions to our words.
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Beautiful! This is so true. I pray God gives me the grace to take on this challenge completely. I cannot do this on my own.
Like Peter I miss the goal….I am sure more often than he did. I am thankful for the Lord’s mercy.
Ann Casper SP always gets right to the heart of it! This is why I love her! Thanks for the ouchie Sister Ann!
Thank you for this! It speaks to me this morning as I work on my goal to give grace.
Yes , that’s what I like about sr Ann – think it over and feel the light and love of Jesus ♥️♥️♥️ how amazing to just slow me down lord and feel your presence , love and joy !
Great mediation. You zing right to the heart of us! You also remind me to go back and read this recent posting: “It’s recognizing, “Richard, you don’t know how to love at all” that keeps me on the path of love. Constant failure at loving is ironically and paradoxically what keeps us learning how to love. When we think we’re there, there’s nothing to learn. —Richard Rohr ” So, with Jesus and our failures, there’s always Love to learn and share.
Thanhs Ann for such a thoughtful reflection. I pray that my actions and words will match with the help of God’s grace especially during this coming Holy Week.
Gratefully,
Connie SP🙏🏻👍😊