Lent 03.28.24
Pressed in by soldiers and religious leaders, surrounded by lanterns, torches, and weapons, Peter does what many of us would do. He responds to the threat of violence with violence. With sword in hand, he tries to take the unfolding narrative into his own hands and cuts off Malchus' ear. Jesus tells Peter to "put the sword back into its sheath” (John 18:11).
Peter had a choice. He could continue down the path of violence, fight the soldiers and religious leaders and protect Jesus from the inevitable, or he could yield, dropping his sword and surrendering to the cup that God has placed before his friend. In the image, this choice is suspended in time. Is Peter releasing the sword and choosing the way of peace? Or is Peter about to take up the sword and choose the way of violence?
—from the artist's statement for "Disarming Peter" by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman | @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 What does the lyric, “Prone to leave the God I love” bring to the surface for you? How does it make you feel?
PRAYER Gracious God, the words, “prone to leave the God I love” crack my heart in two. For try as I might, the truth of my life is clear. I will leave. I will deny. I will fall asleep. I will run and hide. Forgive me for leaving when love is so close. Forgive me for allowing fear to win. Forgive this wandering heart of mine for wandering away. Bring me back. Amen.
