“The Lord called me from birth, From my mother’s womb he gave me my name.”
The Lord has called each one of us, in our different capacities, to further the Kingdom of God. After reading the scriptures of today several times, what stood out to me were three very different and yet very significant figures in biblical history.
Isaiah
The opening line is a quote from the prophet Isaiah, who continues on by saying “He made of me a sharp-edged sword. And concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me.”
Very apropos to the prophet Isaiah, who was indeed one of the earliest heralds to talk about the coming of Christ. God put beautiful words into his mouth with which he exhorted the Jewish people to remain steadfast to God.
Judas
My second character is Judas, who is mentioned in the Gospel. Jesus is reclining at table with the twelve apostles around him, and is deeply troubled, saying “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” John, the youngest and beloved disciple was sitting closest to Jesus, and seeing Peter’s nod to him from across the table, quietly asks Jesus “Master, who is it?
We all know the story that Jesus answered, “it is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” And of course, he gave it to Judas the Iscariot.
Unfortunately for Judas, Satan entered him after he ate the morsel, and he immediately left the room. The rest of the disciples didn’t understand what was happening and they thought he went off to buy something or to give something to the poor.
After Judas’ departure, Jesus said “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him… My children, I will be with you only a little while longer … Where I go you cannot come.”
Peter
And enter in my third notable figure – Peter; who proudly asks, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” And you know how it ends for Peter.
We may not have Gospel accounts written about us, but we are no less important in the kingdom of God than Isaiah, Judas, or Peter. Judas is not a praiseworthy figure, for sure, but I think that often times when I sin and turn away from God, I am a little bit like Judas, betraying God with my actions or even thoughts. Though I try to be like Isaiah, talking about God and living my Catholic faith for all to see, including in my busy workplace, even there I fail sometimes when I don’t want to be perceived as overzealous.
But Peter is the best comparison to everyday man; trying to do what’s right and stay with God, but being human, giving in to weakness and succumbing to sin. He most resembles all of us, acting foolishly and cowardly at times, but always knowing that being near Jesus is where we want to be. We pick ourselves up (go to confession) and strive to be better.
We are on the cusp of the holiest days in our Catholic calendar. Two days from now will be the start of the Triduum, comprising Holy Thursday, followed by Good Friday, and then Saturday when Christ will bring us His light at the Easter Vigil. May these last days of Lent be holy for each of us and draw us closer to our Lord who suffered and died for us.
