Stations
of the Resurrection
By
Raymond Chapman
Station Six
Simon Peter
V We adore thee O Christ and we bless thee
R. Because by
thy glorious Resurrection thou has given life to the world.
The Lord has risen indeed and he has appeared to Simon. (Luke
24:34)
He appeared to Cephas. (1 Corinthians 15:5)
Peter must have been distracted with shame and sorrow all
through the long hours after the crucifixion. He had denied his Master
and betrayed the trust, which he had sworn to keep even if he had to die with
Jesus, Then in a moment of wonder, he knew all was forgiven and that he would
be entrusted with even greater things than before.
We give thanks for the gift of repentance; for conviction
of sin and assurance of pardon; for all new opportunities, all fresh starts, in
each one of which we experience the Resurrection Joy.
We are often unwilling to acknowledge our sins; we make
excuses; we worry about what people think of us rather than the offense against
God. Help us to grasp and hold fast the absolute love that pardons all
offenses, asking only for true sorrow and resolve to do better.
V Christ is
risen.
R He is
risen indeed.
V Let us bless
the Lord.
R Thanks be
to God.
Dear Simon Peter, you were not very like a rock: you always
opened your mouth without thinking and often get it wrong.
“Let’s put
up tents and stay on this mountain.”
“You
mustn’t go up to Jerusalem to suffer.”
“ Don’t
wash my feet – wash me all over.”
“All the
rest may run away, but I never will.”
Even after
that panic flight in the garden, you had courage to follow into the place of
trial, but then in fear three times denied your master
The Resurrection morning found you still impetuous, the
first to rush into the empty tomb.
And it went on; jumping into the sea to be the first to
greet the lord on shore, coming at last to know the good news was not only for
the Jewish people but for all the world.
Dear Peter, I understand so well the foolish speaking,
wished the next moment unsaid; the hurtful sayings that will not go away; the embarrassment
that worms its way into the place of repentance, making wounded self-esteem
feel like sorrow for sin.
How unbelievable it was when Mary Magdalene was told, “Go
tell his disciples and Peter.”
And Peter? Peter the coward, the one who denied him? Yes a
special message for love for Peter.
The last time you saw him in the old life, he looked at you
with such sorrowful eyes that there was nothing left but bitter tears and
despair.
Many times I dare not look into the eyes of Jesus, but he
compels me, draws me into the assurance of being forgiven, of sharing in the
life that is ever new.
Father, look at that beloved face and find my likeness
there.
Peter usually got it wrong, but once in a moment of
ultimate truth, he knew that Jesus was the Christ, The Son of the living God.
May I know the presence of God in the Risen Christ who
calls me.
No comments:
Post a Comment