Negare | Denied

He denied Jesus, saying, “Woman, I don’t know him.” – Luke 22: 57 

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The story of Peter’s threefold denial of Christ is found in all four Gospel accounts. The one in Luke is in 22:55–62. A question many people ask, is why would the chief of the disciples deny even knowing Jesus Christ? Of course, we don’t know exactly, but fear was most probably one of the main reasons.

Although all the other disciples had fled (Mark 14:50), Peter still followed Jesus after His arrest, but he kept his distance. Peter watched as Jesus was being falsely accused, beaten, and insulted. Peter must have been gripped with fear and many other emotions. Peter wasn’t nearly as courageous as he had proclaimed. In fear he denied Jesus Christ.

Fear can be paralyzing. When we feel paralyzed by fear, we feel powerless and weak. It is in times of fear that we do things that are irrational, like Peter did. However, there is always hope. Even though Peter denied Jesus Christ, he received a second chance.

We read about this new chance in John 21 and it is connected to a charcoal fire. In the New Testament, only two times a charcoal fire (fire of coals) is mentioned. The first incident was in the courtyard of the high priest where Peter warmed his hands and where he denied that he knew Jesus (John 18:18). The second time was after the resurrection of Jesus, when Jesus cooked his disciples’ breakfast on the shores of Galilee on a fire of coals (John 21:9). There Peter was looking at a charcoal fire again. It is very likely that Peter thought back about that atrocious night in the courtyard of the high priest. 

There at the second charcoal fire, Peter received his second chance. Jesus did not tell Peter that he was not good enough, and needed more time to prove himself. Jesus just asked him: “Do you love me?” (John 21:15). It was such an important question. Jesus asked it three times. 

This is the most essential question for every believer, every day: Do you love Jesus? No matter what happened previously, do you love Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Saviour today? He who has Jesus has the life (1 John 5:12).

If we love Jesus, we will accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour because He died for us and His blood purified us from all sins.  If we love Jesus, we also receive what Jesus offers us: the complete forgiveness of sins. He is our all-sufficient Saviour. Christ was the perfect and final sacrifice. There is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the only One who can forgive us and deliver us from the the penalty of sin. He offered Himself once, for all sin, for all time (Hebrews 10:12). By His one offering, He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14). 

Let's confess Jesus as our Lord and Saviour without any fear! As we read in Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly".  We do not need to fear, as the Lord is our helper (Hebrews 13:6).

Reflection on Luke 22: 47 – 71 by Hanne Teach

(Listen to podcast here)

 

Vigilate | Be vigilant

"Be vigilant, praying at all times" -  Luke 21:36.

At the beginning of the New Year 2024, we look forward to the future. We are still determining what will happen. So we are afraid and distressed. Thus, the Son of God teaches us how to approach our future. He stayed in the temple during the day and prayed on the mount in the evening (v. 37). He showed his disciples how they should behave. After talking with his heavenly Father, he knew how to preach. Moreover, he could heal the sick and encourage those in trouble.

In the coming year 2024, we can learn from the Divine Word. We can follow Jesus and also become vigilant while we don't know the future. Our life should be like his life. Thus, we should be more attentive to ourselves. Our hearts don't have to be weighed down by egoism and the cares of this life. As Christians, we should not focus on things that must pass away but rather on the Word of Life.

We do believe that the Kingdom of God is nearer and nearer. So, our life is closer and closer to eternity. So we lift up our heads and look with hope to the future. Our Redeemer lives and comes with great power and majesty (v. 27). We are not alone anymore. We don't need to face our problems by ourselves. For our strength is in the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

We are not children of the world but the children of light. Let's not be overwhelmed by distress which governs among the unbelievers. We know that everything must happen according to the will of God. Let us open the Holy Bible and enter the New Year with its wisdom and truth. We are going to the future in the love of the Divine Word.

Reflection on Luke 21:20 - 38 by Józef Trzebuniak.

(Listen to podcast here)

Omne verbum | Word of God

"The word of God will never fail" - Luke 1:37.

 

 

We have many reasons to fear. There are riots in many countries, like France, South Africa, Papua New Guinea. We know it because we live in the areas of public anxieties. So it's a normal and human experience to be afraid. Besides, in our daily life there are so many struggles and difficulties. If we are a bit empathetic, we also engage when our friends and relatives do suffer. 

Luke (1:26-38) describes the personality of the Blessed Mary who was a favored woman (v. 28). She lived in the presence of the Lord. She was never alone. Yet, she could experience fear in her life. She dreamed about beautiful future with her beloved partner Joseph. Everything was well-prepared and organized. But she got confused and disturbed by the messenger who was sent by God. She believed and trusted in the Lord whose word never fails. Even so, she could not understand the will of God. 

It also happens in our lives when we have our plans and dreams. We want them to become true. But God often has a different plan for us. So, we get confused and disturbed. Although the divine Word inspires us, we are still weak and it's not easy for us to accept God's decisions. For that reason, we do need the gift of the Holy Spirit. On our own we cannot welcome Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Redeemer. On our own we can only live for a short time but not forever in the kingdom of God. On our own we have too many questions without answers. 

Like the Blessed Virgin we are to open our heart for the Son of God and his Holy Scripture. We can see so many Christians who followed the divine teaching. They did experience miracles in their lives. It is not true that we are like barren land. We are capable of giving life thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit. We only have to agree with the will of God. 

Although, we do not comprehend the whole plan of God, we can be faithful servants and disciples of the Good News. Let us not forget about the holy angels who support and guard us. We can be sure that everything we have read in the Bible about us will come true. We only need to be patient and keep our strong faith. 

Reflection on Luke 1: 28-36 by Fr. Józef Trzebuniak SVD

(Listen to the Podcast here)

 

 

Negaturus | Deny me

Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” - Mark 14: 30

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The Mount of Olives reminds us of the passion, death and suffering of Jesus, moreover, it reminds us of Peter's very painful denial. As God, Jesus said what would actually happen in that moment, but apostle Peter facing fear, panic and despair, said that he would defend Jesus to the last drop of his blood. 

All Christians knew that the real fact happened. None of Jesus' disciples, including Peter, faithfully followed the way of the cross until Jesus was crucified.  From Peter's attitude in this reading, we are all invited not to rely too much on our own strength when dealing with such a formidable problem. As followers of Christ, we must surrender to God's will and ask for His guidance so that we don't go astray in our confusion. No matter how heavy the problem we face, we will be able to face and overcome it, if we believe in God.

Besides Peter who was trembling with fear but trying to be strong before the agony in Mount Olive, Jesus remained calm. Even though from the beginning He knew that there would be a cross and suffering waiting for Him at Calvary. His nature as a human makes Him very afraid and trembling, but He remains calm waiting for the suffering of the cross. 

One thing we should imitate is that Jesus never forgot to pray in any situation. In great fear and suffering, Jesus completely surrendered to the will of the Father. It is this surrender and total trust to God, that then saved us human from the mire of sin. 

So far, in the midst of our busy daily activities, let's look briefly at the cross of Jesus, the source of strength in suffering.

Reflection on Mark 14:22-52 by Sr Yanti Purnawati SFSC

(Listen to the Podcast here)

Sequere me| Follow me

“One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.” -  (Mark 10: 21)

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In today's reading of Mark 10:17-31, we can reflect upon the value of sacrifice and perseverance. Mark 10: 29-31 will also show us the equivalent of perseverance, does God recognize them, and what happens to the perseverance in our sufferings.

One of the most popular verses, and the lesson of giving up everything to God, is given in this reading. A man ran up to Jesus, and knelt before Him, to ask Him how to inherit eternal life and how to enter the Kingdom of God. While he knew the commandments, he still was bound to his earthly belongings, saddened to the idea of giving up all to the Lord.

This is something that brings the question to every believer: 'Are we willing to give up everything to the Lord?' Be it our possessions, our pride.  'Are we willing to suffer for Christ?'

In my own experiences, these questions are something that we often brush over, since we're all so bound in our earthly senses and experiences. In order to be rich in Christ, we need to accept Him truly and utterly. Giving up everything for Him, and to suffer for our belief in Him.

I once had to deal with a crossroads as such in my life. Once a lukewarm believer, I once went through a procession from 12am to 6am for an Easter Vigil in a town. Going through all of the Cathedrals and Churches of the area, but this also meant we were greeted by unpleasant people, as well.

The procession to me meant that I didn't have to be ashamed of my beliefs. That I have Christ, and that I have nothing to fear. While many people may criticize us, or wish us ill for our belief in God, I carried my cross happily, and still do, to this very day.

Reflection on Mark 10:17-31  by Cristobal Alvarez  

(Listen to the Podcast here)

Convivae nuptiarum (Mt. 9:15)

Our minds, thoughts, and attention are focused on God when we start to fast because we wish God would answer our prayers.  Jesus’ answer is reflected in today’s gospel, telling us that He is still and always be with His disciples and be with us, so we don’t have to mourn and show our frowned face in our daily living. The time will come when our bridegroom will be taken from us. It means the time when storm and darkness of life surround us or whenever we face difficulties. It will be the right time for us to rise and face the world. Before we rise and face the world, we should fast and pray so that we could hear clearly that Jesus is always with us.

He always speaks in silence, whispers through natures, wind, and air. We could listen to them well if we spend our time in silence. We have to leave our daily works and search for Him to be able to feel His daily gracious presence. When times of darkness come, most of us fear. The word “FEAR” has two meanings, and there are two choices that we can make. The first one is FEAR ( Face Everything And Rise), and the second one is FEAR (Fight Everything And Run). If our FEAR is Face Everything And Rise, we are indeed people who have faith in Jesus. Our bridegroom always stays in our hearts. Sometimes we don’t even realize this. Let us pause a while from daily activities and listen to God’s words so that our life be always meaningful. God bless us all. Peace be with you all.

By Sr. Yanti Purnawati, SFSC.