Always Muddy

Today's gospel passage recounts the betrayal of Judas and the prediction of Peter's three-time denial. Judas leaves the last supper to see set the wheels in motion for the capture of Jesus, while Peter vehemently pledges his loyalty, even to the point of laying his life down for Jesus. (cf. Jn 13: 21-33; 33, 36-3).  Not a pretty picture which we look at from a world inundated with media coverage of the tragic fire in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. A muddy picture gets muddier.  Yet, believing that there is a reason for everything, from the betrayal of Judas come the death and resurrection of Jesus; from Peter's  denial, a strong church leader, the first Pope, a martyr emerges.  From the ruins of Notre Dame, already pledges to rebuild are coming in, and as Matt Fallon pointed out on Facebook today, the possibility of rebuilding the entire Roman Catholic Church in a Marian Mold. Time will purify the mud.  Time and the re-dedication of our hearts to Jesus, which is what we will do when we renew our Baptismal Promises at Easter. Nothing happens for nothing; may the shock of this tragedy wake us all up to a re-commitment to Jesus.  This prayer might help us:
Mother of Sorrows, pray for your children during this week when we remember the loss of your son. Comforter of the Afflicted, console all of us who mourn, who find ourselves caught in the flames of unforgiven anger, in the dark clouds of despair, and in the pain of loss. As we keep watch with you at the foot of Christ’s cross this week, fill us with your faith in the sure promise of Resurrection.

Notre Dame, Our Mother, pray for us. (Faith ND, Tuesday, April 16, 2019)
Bro Rene