“Think of what is above” St Paul says, “not what is on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col. 3:2-3
The time leading up to Jesus’ passion, before he breathed his last breath and ultimately sacrificed his life for our salvation, to the will of God, there is an enlightening of human frailty. Within my heart there’s a deep elated joy for believers, that also comingles with a deep compassion and sorrow, for the lost souls. Judas, one of the chosen, denies Jesus for mere silver, then chooses to ultimately end his precious, God given life. Peter denies Jesus three times, but he lives on to be the rock of the church. There is a dichotomy with Judas and Peter, in the paths they have chosen.
All throughout history Jesus has been our teacher of holiness. Perhaps, Judas remained so fixed on the ways of the world and his personal beliefs , that caused him to sink further into the depths of sin which ultimately led to death. Perhaps Peter, following his denial of Jesus, came to see his actions stemmed from fear of reprisal, and saw his sin through the eyes of Jesus. What a dramatic and drastic difference. After sin came into the heart of Judas, had he been led to seek repentance from God, with remorse and surrender, his story could have been a holy one. Peter, with a remorseful and repentant heart, admitted his sin, sought forgiveness from Jesus, the only father of mercy, that ever was or will be, became a holy man and a missionary in the history of our church.
Jesus is the ultimate healer and extends his love and grace, if we but remain on his path of love and divinity. Sometimes, in our sin perhaps like Judas, we hide and isolate, we may fail to see that Jesus wants to embrace us and beckons us to come into the light. Into the light of church and faith community and friendship as part of God’s family. Healing cannot happen in isolation, but in the light of God’s love and his people. Perhaps, in Peter’s humiliation and sorrow, he remained courageous as he faced his sins head on and surrendered to and allowed God to heal and forgive him. Not the world or its promises, but God’s promise throughout the ages.
There is no substitute in the modern world, for God’s mercy and love. As Catholics we have the medicine of mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It releases us from our sins and relinquishes them to God. St. Faustina’s prayer astoundingly eloquent puts forth, God extends endless love and mercy “For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world”. When a member of the body of Christ comes into his fold and surrenders to Jesus, that member is changed dramatically in mind, heart and soul and their life is transformed.
May you surrender to God’s mercy and love. Let us pray on what God wants to heal in us. St. Faustina pray for us.
Peace,
Claudia