Betrayal, Denial

Note:  A very slow moving boot up, which took more than ten minutes, due to a "long running script" makes it too late to post Tuesday's slice of bread.  You will be able to read it on Wednesday along with a fresh slice for the day.
Bro. Rene

St. John moves us closer to the agony in the garden and the fast-moving trial, condemnation and death of Jesus.  In his version of the Last Supper, John reveals the betrayer, Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, as he to whom Jesus hands the wine-dipped morsel of unleavened bread and orders  him "What you are going to do, do quickly." (cf Jn 13:27).  Soon after, Jesus tells the remaining apostles that soon he will leave them and that they won't be able to follow him.  Peter protests that he would lay down his life for Jesus, only to be told he will deny him three times before the cock crows. (cf. Jn 13: 36).  As we know, Judas carries out his plan and Jesus is delivered into the hands of the high priest, a move he regrets to the point of taking his own life.  Peter denies Jesus as predicted, but is filled with remorse. begs forgiveness and is pardoned.
It is not uncommon for us to follow to some degree in the footsteps of these men, when by our sins we betray the love that Jesus offers us each moment, or we deny our affiliation with him, or fail to offer the gratitude due him for the amazing, sometimes miraculous working out of our day when we wondered if we could get through it at all.  May we emulate Peter in his remorse and repentance, rather than follow the path of Judas' despair and self-destruction.
Bro. Rene