Reflection for Palm SundayThursday Evening, in the Garden of Olives:Peter said to Jesus: ‘Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you’ Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ (Matt. 26. 33-35)Just a few hours later, in the courtyard of the high priest:After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.’ Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know the man!’ At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: ‘Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly. (Matt. 26.73-75). Peter, so sure of himself, so confident in his discipleship, is devastated when he realises what he has done. Judas, who deliberately betrayed Jesus, is unable to live with himself and commits suicide. But in due course Peter, humbled by his failure, accepting his weakness and his dependence on the grace and mercy of God, grows in stature to become the ‘Rock’ that Jesus said he would be. All of us know failure in some form, large or small. It may be shattering to discover our own weakness, but it can lead to a new understanding of ourselves, and a more realistic view of our need for God’s grace if we are to become what we were made to be. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor.12.9)Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen
Scripture:On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11 17-22)Reflection:The responses of the two sisters illustrate how we all have our own unique way of dealing with grief and loss. Martha was outspoken and impetuous. Tired of waiting for Jesus to act in the way she believed he could, she went out to meet him and told him what was on her mind. Mary stayed at home and sought consolation for her loss. When Jesus arrived, she characteristically knelt at his feet, weeping. In our life we may sometimes be like Martha, pouring out all our emotions, positive and negative. At other times we may be like Mary, quieter and more resigned. The wonderful news is that, either way, Jesus understands us and accepts us as we are. We don’t need to cloak our feelings before him. Lyn Hayes
