Posted: 4/1/2009 7:37:41 PM EDT
OK, guys, time for some of that Catholic guilt... I'll try again this week, but just Theodoret and me doesn't really make for a good discussion (thanks to my faithful friend, Theodoret, BTW ). You don't even need to answer the questions to participate, feel free to just comment on something that struck you about the readings, or ask a question if you like. (Sorry about the whining, but don't forget, you're dealing with a very emotional pregnant woman here - cut me some slack!) ETA: 1) I have a "reminder" mailing list I send out every week, PM me if you want to be added to the list. 2) You don't have to be Catholic to participate (just remember my "rule" of not posting just to challenge or tear down Catholic doctrine)
April 5, 2009 Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - At the Procession with Palms Mk 11:1-10 When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately on entering it, you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone should say to you, 'Why are you doing this?' reply, 'The Master has need of it and will send it back here at once.'" So they went off and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street, and they untied it. Some of the bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?" They answered them just as Jesus had told them to, and they permitted them to do it. So they brought the colt to Jesus and put their cloaks over it. And he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!" Or Jn 12:12-16 When the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: "Hosanna! "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel." Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written: Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass's colt. His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this for him. Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - At the Mass Reading 1 Is 50:4-7 The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. Reading II Phil 2:6-11 Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Gospel Mk 14:1—15:47 or 15:1-39 [Shorter version in red brackets] The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were to take place in two days' time. So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to arrest him by treachery and put him to death. They said, "Not during the festival, for fear that there may be a riot among the people." When he was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil, costly genuine spikenard. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head. There were some who were indignant. "Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days' wages and the money given to the poor." They were infuriated with her. Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them. When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he came with the Twelve. And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one, "Surely it is not I?" He said to them, "One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish. For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed. But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee." Peter said to him, "Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be." Protestations of Peter Then Jesus said to him, "Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times." But he vehemently replied, "Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you." And they all spoke similarly. Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch." He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will." When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand." Then, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, "The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely." He came and immediately went over to him and said, "Rabbi." And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them in reply, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me; but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled." And they all left him and fled. Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked. They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest's courtyard and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none. Many gave false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. Some took the stand and testified falsely against him, alleging, "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands.'" Even so their testimony did not agree. The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus, saying, "Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?" But he was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, "Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?" Then Jesus answered, "I am; and 'you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.'" At that the high priest tore his garments and said, "hat further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as deserving to die. Some began to spit on him. They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, "Prophesy!" And the guards greeted him with blows. While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest's maids came along. Seeing Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, "You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus." But he denied it saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are talking about." So he went out into the outer court. Then the cock crowed. The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." Once again he denied it. A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more, "Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean." He began to curse and to swear, "I do not know this man about whom you are talking." And immediately a cock crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times." He broke down and wept. [As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of." Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed. Pilate answered, "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate again said to them in reply, "Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?" They shouted again, "Crucify him." Pilate said to them, "Why? What evil has he done?" They only shouted the louder, "Crucify him." So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified. The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him. They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. They brought him to the place of Golgotha — which is translated Place of the Skull — They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross." Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him. At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some of the bystanders who heard it said, "Look, he is calling Elijah." One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying, "Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down." Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. Here all kneel and pause for a short time. The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"] There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome. These women had followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him. There were also many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid. 
Overview of the Gospel: * The events of this Sunday’s Processional Gospel reading take place the Sunday before Holy Week. The following Thursday, Jesus will institute the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood. On Friday he will be unjustly tried, tortured, and die upon the Cross for the sins of mankind. In exactly a week from today, he will rise gloriously from the grave, defeating Satan and death. * Jesus now enters Jerusalem in triumph. Whereas he had previously entered the city quietly, he now does so publicly since his mission is almost completed. * Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem recalls that of another king—King Solomon (see 1 Kings 1:32-49). Both are called “Son of David;” both ride a donkey (or mule); both were celebrated by a great crowd; both entries caused a commotion in the city. * The crowd greets Jesus as a victorious king, sure that he will liberate Roman-occupied Israel in the manner foretold by the prophets (Zechariah 14:3-21). Their shouts of praise will turn into cries of condemnation, however, when Jesus turns out to be a different kind of king than the one they expect (Zechariah 9:9-10). Questions: · To what town has Jesus come? Why (Matthew 23:27; Mark 10:32-33; Luke 13:33)? · Jesus comes on a donkey rather than a stallion. What does this portray (Zechariah 9:9-10)? What kind of king were the people expecting? How do their wishes compare with the reality of Jesus? How might that discrepancy account for the same crowd jeering and shouting later, “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:12-15)? · How would you have reacted if you had been there to greet Jesus riding into town? Do you jump on political or religious bandwagons today? Why or why not? · What difference does it make to you that Jesus is a gentle king, and not like the one described in Matthew 20:25? Does Jesus’ humility “work” for you? Why or why not? · What does Good Friday and Easter mean to you? What will you do this week to prepare yourself spiritually for these most holy of Christian observances? Catechism of the Catholic Church: 449 Divine title "Lord." 557-560 Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. 571-572 "He was crucified under Pontius Pilate." The Paschal mystery is the heart of Good News. 606-614 Christ offers himself for sinners. 713 Jesus as "servant." 2605-2606 Jesus' prayer at "his hour." All human troubles are summed up in his cry. |
I'll answer a little bit at a time, these questions require some thought for me, though I am quite a simple man. 
· How would you have reacted if you had been there to greet Jesus riding into town? Do you jump on political or religious bandwagons today? Why or why not? If I understood Him to be the Christ (I hope I would have), I would have been ecstatic. As for jumping on bandwagons, I don't. As for politics you can slam the Republicans and Democrats, I don't care, I have a low opinion on most of those weasels. But I do follow the teachings of the Catholic Church unwaveringly, I will do all I can to cast my support for those that I believe will uphold those principals that I believe in. As for religious bandwagons, I am a Catholic who believes in what the Church teaches, which is not a fly by night thing but are concrete principles that are not influenced by the mood of society. |
| · What difference does it make to you that Jesus is a gentle king, and not like the one described in Matthew 20:25? Does Jesus’ humility “work” for you? Why or why not? Just another thing that reminds me of how unworthy I really am to have the Lord in my life. Even if He was a tyrant I would be unworthy, but to have Him as a loving and caring Lord and King, what more could you say?! |
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I love Palm Sunday because I always felt that we are preparing for the last week that Jesus was with us on earth. It is a triumphant time that we worship Him and lay out cloaks before him on his way into Jerusalem. We recognize Him as our King. We do not hide from those that want to persecute us for our faith and we are openly making the way for our Lord.
For me this is a great time for reflecting on the life of Jesus. It is a great time to prepare my heart for the agony of His Passion, which is closely followed by the extreme Joy of His Resurrection. I have taken vacation days so that my family and I can properly celebrate the Easter Triduum. This is the time that we celebrate the Paschal Mystery, which is the basis of our faith. When Jesus dies, He destroys our death and when He arises on Easter He restores our life. While our families have parties for that weekend, our Church actually celebrates this time for something like 50 days. Prepare you hearts, for He is coming again.
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Wow! That's awesome! Taking vacation days and so on, I really admire that!
I love Palm Sunday because I always felt that we are preparing for the last week that Jesus was with us on earth. It is a triumphant time that we worship Him and lay out cloaks before him on his way into Jerusalem. We recognize Him as our King. We do not hide from those that want to persecute us for our faith and we are openly making the way for our Lord. For me this is a great time for reflecting on the life of Jesus. It is a great time to prepare my heart for the agony of His Passion, which is closely followed by the extreme Joy of His Resurrection. I have taken vacation days so that my family and I can properly celebrate the Easter Triduum. This is the time that we celebrate the Paschal Mystery, which is the basis of our faith. When Jesus dies, He destroys our death and when He arises on Easter He restores our life. While our families have parties for that weekend, our Church actually celebrates this time for something like 50 days. Prepare you hearts, for He is coming again. |
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Wow! That's awesome! Taking vacation days and so on, I really admire that!
I love Palm Sunday because I always felt that we are preparing for the last week that Jesus was with us on earth. It is a triumphant time that we worship Him and lay out cloaks before him on his way into Jerusalem. We recognize Him as our King. We do not hide from those that want to persecute us for our faith and we are openly making the way for our Lord. For me this is a great time for reflecting on the life of Jesus. It is a great time to prepare my heart for the agony of His Passion, which is closely followed by the extreme Joy of His Resurrection. I have taken vacation days so that my family and I can properly celebrate the Easter Triduum. This is the time that we celebrate the Paschal Mystery, which is the basis of our faith. When Jesus dies, He destroys our death and when He arises on Easter He restores our life. While our families have parties for that weekend, our Church actually celebrates this time for something like 50 days. Prepare you hearts, for He is coming again. We don't do it for admiration, and I am sorry if my post made you think we were looking for admiration. We do it in a humble manner to honor the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Can you imagine how much He loves us to go through that agony?
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I know that, that is why I admire it. If it was done to get praise and admiration from others then it would not be admirable.
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Wow! That's awesome! Taking vacation days and so on, I really admire that!
I love Palm Sunday because I always felt that we are preparing for the last week that Jesus was with us on earth. It is a triumphant time that we worship Him and lay out cloaks before him on his way into Jerusalem. We recognize Him as our King. We do not hide from those that want to persecute us for our faith and we are openly making the way for our Lord. For me this is a great time for reflecting on the life of Jesus. It is a great time to prepare my heart for the agony of His Passion, which is closely followed by the extreme Joy of His Resurrection. I have taken vacation days so that my family and I can properly celebrate the Easter Triduum. This is the time that we celebrate the Paschal Mystery, which is the basis of our faith. When Jesus dies, He destroys our death and when He arises on Easter He restores our life. While our families have parties for that weekend, our Church actually celebrates this time for something like 50 days. Prepare you hearts, for He is coming again. We don't do it for admiration, and I am sorry if my post made you think we were looking for admiration. We do it in a humble manner to honor the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Can you imagine how much He loves us to go through that agony?
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• Jesus comes on a donkey rather than a stallion. What does this portray (Zechariah 9:9-10)? What kind of king were the people expecting? How do their wishes compare with the reality of Jesus? How might that discrepancy account for the same crowd jeering and shouting later, “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:12-15)?
The riding of the donkey portrays that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, as he was fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah, but that he a peaceful king, rather than a warrior-king. The people, however were expecting a worldly king that would free them from Roman rule and restore the earthly kingdom of David. They expected a great military leader, proud and powerful. While Jesus certainly was powerful, he was not proud and not the king they were expecting, for his kingdom was not to be of this world. • How would you have reacted if you had been there to greet Jesus riding into town? Do you jump on political or religious bandwagons today? Why or why not? I don't tend to jump on the bandwagon in any aspect of my life - I tend to be a bit more skeptical and take a "wait and see" approach. |
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· Jesus comes on a donkey rather than a stallion. What does this portray (Zechariah 9:9-10)? What kind of king were the people expecting? How do their wishes compare with the reality of Jesus? How might that discrepancy account for the same crowd jeering and shouting later, “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:12-15)?
Many Jews showed an earthly way of thinking, expecting an earthly king and an earthly kingdom, while Jesus is a Heavenly King establishing a Heavenly Kingdom. I see the same confusion today where even some Protestants think as if God is more concerned with Israel as a nation and not as the spiritual Israel the Church. I also see a parallel with the hatred that the Jews had for Christ with the hatred that some Protestants have with the Church that Christ established (The Catholic Church). |
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Palm Sunday - Passion Sunday
Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. The Sunday before Easter is observed by virtually all Christians –– Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox –– as Palm Sunday. For all Church traditions the feast has a bittersweet taste. Though it celebrates the King's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the parade leads straight to the Lord Jesus' suffering and death on Calvary. We now come to the Sunday with a split personality. It starts with an upbeat gospel recounting Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is a festive affair, complete with a parade route strewn with palm branches instead of ticker tape. But we quickly progress to the stark reading of Jesus’ passion, bearable only because we already know its happy ending. Mel Gibson’s film did us a favor in reminding us how shockingly brutal the whole business really was. Two names for the same day: Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. I propose a third name: Fickle Sunday. For the same crowd that was cheering during the parade was jeering a few days later. They’d been wowed by his sermons, fed with loaves and fishes, healed of their diseases, delivered of their demons. But as soon as the tide began to turn, so did they. Their cries of “Hosanna” turned to shouts of a very different kind: “Crucify him!” Of course, he was not surprised in the least. The gospels tell us that he knew the human mind and heart all too well. He was not fooled by all the acclamations and fanfare. Flattery could not swell his head. He had no illusions of grandeur or ambition for worldly glory. In fact, our second reading tells us that He had willingly emptied Himself of heavenly glory in pursuit of His true passion – His Fathers will and our salvation. Jesus “set his face like flint.” He was on a mission and nothing would deter him. He barreled through barriers that usually stop us dead in our tracks–fear of ridicule, fear of suffering, abandonment by our closest companions. He was willing to endure the sting of sin to blot out sin, and was eager to face death in order to overcome it. He did indeed have a “well-trained tongue.” His words had mesmerized the crowds, intrigued Herod and even made Pilate stop and think. But now his lips are strangely silent. All the gospels point out that he said very little during his passion, collecting only seven brief statements from the cross. Maybe this was to fulfill the Scripture that said “like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53: 7b). Actually, everything that happened in these fateful hours fulfilled Scripture. Isaiah 50 had foretold the beating and mockery. Psalm 22 lays it all out hundreds of years before it happens: his thirst, the piercing of his hands and feet by Gentiles (called “dogs” by the Jews), and the casting of lots for his clothing. The opening line of this psalm happens to be “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Could it be that the Lord uttered this phrase to remind us that this was all in the plan? So the virtual silence of his well-trained tongue was to fulfill Scripture. But there was another reason for his silence. Though Jesus was destined to preach on Good Friday, the message was not to be delivered in words. The language of this sermon was to be "body language." Good Friday, according to Jewish reckoning, actually began at sundown on Holy Thursday. So on the beginning of his final day, Jesus gave us the verbal caption of his last and greatest sermon: “This is my body, given for you; this is my blood, which is poured out for you.” “I love you” is not so much something you say as something you demonstrate. Diamonds may be a moving testimony to love, but the laying down of one’s life is even more compelling. And though this life is human and therefore vulnerable, it is also divine and therefore infinite in value. A gift so valuable that it outweighs every offense committed from the dawn of time till the end of the world. A gift so powerful that it melts hearts, opens the barred gates of paradise, and makes all things new. |
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Here's something interesting I noticed.
He returned a third time and said to them,
"Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Jesus came back three times and found Peter and the rest asleep. While Jesus was off praying, they were sleeping. Jesus came back, woke them up, then went out and prayed. They slept. Jesus came back a third time and found them sleeping. But when the hour came, Jesus was prepared. He was ready for perhaps the most horrific death possible. Peter, who squandered his chances to pray, was not. He denied Jesus 3 times. There have been countless times I have squandered a good chance to pray. Then the hour came (in the form of temptation, suffering, or some other difficulty), and like Peter, I was not ready. I can only hope that when the hour of my death arrives, I will be ready. |
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Here's something interesting I noticed. He returned a third time and said to them,
"Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Jesus came back three times and found Peter and the rest asleep. While Jesus was off praying, they were sleeping. Jesus came back, woke them up, then went out and prayed. They slept. Jesus came back a third time and found them sleeping. But when the hour came, Jesus was prepared. He was ready for perhaps the most horrific death possible. Peter, who squandered his chances to pray, was not. He denied Jesus 3 times. There have been countless times I have squandered a good chance to pray. Then the hour came (in the form of temptation, suffering, or some other difficulty), and like Peter, I was not ready. I can only hope that when the hour of my death arrives, I will be ready. That's a great point, LoganSackett, thanks for sharing. I think Peter is such a great example for us, not despite his failings, but because of them. He missed the chance to pray and prepare, perhaps partly because he didn't understand what was about to happen, and denied the Lord three times. But, he realized his mistakes, repented and because of the infinite mercy of God, he was forgiven. He accepted the Holy Spirit and look at the great things he did for the Church! So, no matter how many times I fail the Lord, I know all I have to do is ask forgiveness and I can do great things through him as well. |
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Quoted:
Here's something interesting I noticed. He returned a third time and said to them,
"Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Jesus came back three times and found Peter and the rest asleep. While Jesus was off praying, they were sleeping. Jesus came back, woke them up, then went out and prayed. They slept. Jesus came back a third time and found them sleeping. But when the hour came, Jesus was prepared. He was ready for perhaps the most horrific death possible. Peter, who squandered his chances to pray, was not. He denied Jesus 3 times. There have been countless times I have squandered a good chance to pray. Then the hour came (in the form of temptation, suffering, or some other difficulty), and like Peter, I was not ready. I can only hope that when the hour of my death arrives, I will be ready. That's a great point, LoganSackett, thanks for sharing. I think Peter is such a great example for us, not despite his failings, but because of them. He missed the chance to pray and prepare, perhaps partly because he didn't understand what was about to happen, and denied the Lord three times. But, he realized his mistakes, repented and because of the infinite mercy of God, he was forgiven. He accepted the Holy Spirit and look at the great things he did for the Church! So, no matter how many times I fail the Lord, I know all I have to do is ask forgiveness and I can do great things through him as well. I agree completely. Peter is a great story. When Judas betrayed Jesus, he had the opportunity to do what Peter did and receive forgiveness. Peter became the head of Jesus' Church, Judas killed himself. Reconciliation vs. despair. First Pope vs. corpse. Easy choice for me, but hard to live out. |