7 Apr 2020. Holy Tuesday. Cycle A-2020. Is 49:1-6 + Jn 13:21-33, 36-38

“Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me” (Jn 13:21).  

Not me, Lord! Never!

I love you, Lord, even if sometimes I have to trade Sunday worship with job overtime. An important ball game sometimes interferes. I might be too busy to pray but I do love you. I hope you understand that I need to vote for an anti-Christ candidate who promises to provide for my needs. Heaven can wait, I presume, so I can pawn eternity for a moment of luxury.     

“Amen, amen, I say to you… you deny me three times (Jn 13:38).

Not me, Lord! Never!

I would not profane your name, nor flout your word. Even if I fear to defend you from my Christ-mocking boss, I adore you. I try to keep my faith private because I avoid offending non-believers. I avoid condemning wickedness because I do not nag like a bigot. I denied you the best spot in my heart, but I love you just the same.   

“My people, my people, why have you forsaken me?” (cf. Mt 27:46).

Not me, Lord! Never!

I did not abandon you; You abandoned me. You know I have loved you, and have observed your laws. You know I have tried to stay close to you, but how can you not hear my prayers. While my neighbor who bashes you prospers, I who love you does suffer. Do you blame me for losing you?

“Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt 16:25-26).

Amen, Amen, Lord, I was a fool to betray you, to deny you, and to abandon you whenever it was inconvenient to follow you. Forgive my cowardice and my lack of trust. To whom else shall I go? You have the words of eternal life (cf. Jn 6:68). VSS

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