Psalm 45
Zechariah 2:1-13
2 Peter 1:12–21
Matthew 24: 32-44
Zechariah 2:1-13
2 Peter 1:12–21
Matthew 24: 32-44
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit into unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently. Being born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Peter 1: 22-23
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| Late 15th Century Ethiopian https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/317618 |
Like Peter, we all experience times when what we know and believe is brought under scrutiny. Confronted and fearful, denial of our true belief happens, and is bound up with pride and self- doubt. These moments can also be opportunities for significant personal transformation. Imagine the profound meaning felt in the mutual glance shared when the Lord turned and looked at Peter after he denied Him three times. What a deeply intimate moment to experience and how it took Peter to his deepest level of remorse. Weeping bitterly at his weakness and feeling self- loathing and contempt; all experiences that reach to the core of our false self. It is during these dark times when we are faced with our mistakes that we can finally relinquish our attachment to self and our false pretences. Here we resolve to purify ourselves of our faults and pledge to develop our good qualities to their fullest; reorient ourselves to Christ with a fervour to change. Jesus knew Peter’s potential as the foundation upon which the future of Christianity would be secure. He saw beyond the weakness and knew that until Peter was taken to this point of self-examination he would only be mediocre in his commitment and not persevere in the face of the challenges and discouragements that the Apostles would experience. He knows that of us too, that we must actively yearn for a life of truth and deepen our Christian identity through mindful action. In these moments of disgrace we can know the true mercy of God’s grace. They teach us that living fully human means working through failure and responding with joyful perseverance to show honour, love and protection of the gift of life given to us by God. Advent is a time to experience the birth of a deeper Christ consciousness which calls us to new heights of truth, wisdom, healing – a compassion towards all life in grateful service.
– Sr. Kathryn Tulip
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