Lent 03.27.24
Looking through the eyes of Peter, I was floored by Jesus’ judgment of Peter in this text (John 13:38). Jesus’s response to Peter sounds harsh coming from a loving God. I think that that is why I was so surprised as I studied the scripture. So I looked deeper to see what Jesus is actually going through, to see where his perspective may be coming from. Trauma. With this lens, my fragile frustration with Jesus is really me centering myself. Jesus is constantly putting himself in harm’s way and now he’s heading toward the cross. Yet, I am still demanding him to be polite to me, not to call my bluff.
My reaction is to push back, to not have sympathy and deference for the real difficulty he is going through. I wonder in my daily life whose trauma I am still approaching ineffectively. How can I learn from Jesus’ valid impatience with Peter’s empty, well-meaning promises?
—from the artist's statement for "Really?" by Hannah Garrity | @sanctifiedart
WEEKLY CENTERING PRACTICE Center yourself in breath. Place one hand on your belly and one on your heart. Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, and exhale for 4.
DAILY QUESTION When Jesus washes Peter’s feet, Peter cries, “Not just my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” (Jn. 13:1-20) Have you ever longed for a faith like that?
PRAYER Holy God, not a day passes when I do not wish to know you better. Not a day passes when I do not wish to catch a glimpse of you in my midst. Like the desert longs for water, so I long for you. So today I pray: rain down on me. Rain down on me with streams of mercy. Wash not only my feet, but my head and my hands as well. Amen.
