Mark 14:22-26: Denial
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Denial in the life of a Christian is not an option.
The very rock upon whom Jesus builds the Church – Peter – denies that he was a companion of Jesus. This is actually a good thing for all of us who are Christ’s twenty first century apostles. If such a one shows weak knees and nauseous stomach when called to witness . . . then so may we. The glory of this story is that when the Resurrected Christ asks Peter: Do you love me? (John 21), we see Peter rise to the challenge: Yes, Lord, you know that I do. After this encounter with his resurrected teacher, Peter dedicates the rest of his life to the dangerous work asked of him by this Lord. Can we not do the same, even at a cost to our reputation and our finances? What do we fear?
It is so difficult to step out of the mold everyone expects and into the behavior our Lord calls from us. It is so frightening to leave all comfortable habits behind and embark on a new, spiritual response to our Lord. Yet it is such a privilege to witness to this Lord who loves us beyond all measure.
It is a gift to take up the cross we are given to move toward the light. It is a gift to be called into the difficult work of conversion. Yet each time we feel the queasiness, the headache, the dry mouth, the unwilling spirit, we might remember Peter. Perhaps it also helps to remember that there is work to be done . . . and that not all are called . . . and that not all respond . . . even when given the second opportunity. As a sign that we are Christians, we are to take heart as we heft the unwanted cross to our shoulders . . . and we are to encourage one another as we carry our burdens back to the Lord, who will then add them to the weight he already carries.
Denial in the life of a Christian is not an option.
And so we pray, Dear Lord . . .
Grant us the confidence we will need to lift our crosses and follow you.
Grant us the courage we will need to step out of our comfort zone when we follow you.
Grant us the understanding we will need to the value our suffering in a way that transforms us and others.
Grant us the stamina we will need to see the hope in your cross.
Grant us the love we will need to allow ourselves to be open to your guidance as we carry our crosses with you.
Amen.
Image from: http://ymiblogging.org/2012/05/odj-one-meal-one-body/
Written on September 23, 2008 and posted today as a Favorite.
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