Tuesday of Holy Week
Daily Prayer
Gentle Jesus, we have walked with You this Lent. But now You tell us we cannot follow. We are not prepared. Give us the strength to remember what You taught us and direct our actions according to Your Father’s will. Forgive us when we falter. We hope to share in eternal life. Amen
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 49:1-6; John 13:21-33, 36-38
Scripture Quote
John 13:36
Jesus answered him [Simon Peter],
“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now,
though you will follow later.”
Reflection
Jesus is about to be arrested and executed (John 19), then resurrected (John 20) and ascended into heaven (Acts 1:). These are steps in which His disciples cannot follow, at least not yet.
As Jesus will explain in the ensuing chapters, His path includes preparing a place for those who trust in Him by faith (John 14:3). The disciples, and all who are born to eternal life, will find Christ and be with Him in eternity later (John 14:6).
Jesus has been with His disciples for three years, teaching them and preparing them for this moment. They cannot follow Him now, but they will. Most of His disciples will suffer martyrdom: killed for their faith in Christ. In that sense, they will “follow later” on the path Jesus is about to walk. This includes Peter, who tradition indicates was crucified upside-down, by his own request, as he felt unworthy to die in the same way as Jesus. Peter’s eventual fate is even more astonishing considering that Jesus tells Peter, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” The disciples will be reunited with Jesus eventually.
Reflection Questions
How will I reflect today that Jesus’ death is my pathway to eternal life?
How can I be stronger in faith and more active in good works so that I can have eternal life?
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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