Homily: Tuesday of Holy Week

Tuesday of Holy Week (John 13:36-38) “Denial”

Often people will tell me that they are terrible sinners. And by most standards they might be. Perhaps they have had sex outside of marriage. Maybe they have been abusive to someone that they love. They might have had addictions that have ruined their life and caused harm to others. Many of us carry guilt and feel terrible.

I try to share what gives me solace. One of the things that reassures me about my situation is that I consider the life of St. Peter. What could be worse than what St. Peter did? He denied he even knew Jesus when he was questioned in the high priest’s courtyard. Jesus had even told him ahead of time that he would sin in this way. He might have steeled himself against doing such a thing, but he did not.

Another thing to consider is that he committed the sin not once but three times. He denied believing in Jesus repeatedly. He even cursed and swore when he did this. It was a cowardly act.

We might also think about the fact that the third time he denied Jesus in Luke’s Gospel it says that Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Jesus, before he died knew that his good friend had betrayed him. How much that must have hurt Jesus. How sad Jesus must have been when he looked at Peter.

Peter despaired greatly. But later when he preached about the meaning of the Gospel, Peter used this terrible experience to prove that redemption that Jesus spoke of was real. Peter, the one who denied Jesus, became an apostle who witnessed for Jesus.

No sin we commit can ever be as bad as what Peter did the night before Jesus died. Yet, Jesus forgave him.

 Reflection Questions:

1. What is the worst sin I have ever committed? How does it compare to what Peter did?
2. Do I believe that any sin can be forgiven? Does Peter’s story prove that?

Dear Parishioners,

          The Easter Triduum is upon us. I invite everyone to come this Thursday at 7 p.m. for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Friday at 3 p.m. we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion. Easter Vigil we will be gathering at 8:15 p.m. Come and help us initiate our new members.

          Wednesday night we will be having the last of our Lenten confessions. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation before and after the Stations of the cross which we will have at 5:30 p.m.

          May Our Lady of Peace bring an end to violence our troubled world today.

          Fr. Mark