Betrayal and Denial

Gospel: John 13: 21-33, 36-38

"One of you will betray me."  Nay, all of us will betray you, Lord.  "Peter, this very night you will deny me three times." - Aye, and all the rest of us will do so as well.  This election week is the time for hard examination for those who profess to be disciples of the Lord Jesus.  Like Peter and the other disciples we make our bravado professions of faith in Jesus, but what will our actions truly reveal?

Consider: we will make claims to care for the poor and marginalized, but instead give priority to purchasing padded pews for the nave.  We pledge solidarity with immigrants and refugees, but offer no assistance or lodging as they seek a permanent home.  We declare to value both mother and unborn child but oppose Medicaid expansion that would help both.  

This election week we recall that Jesus is present in our neighbor in need.  Will our actions correspond to our professions of faith in them, or will they be acts of betrayal, denial, and abandonment? So few stood by Jesus to the end during the first Holy Week.  So few support the neighbor in need.  Election week is upon us: will we be like the women at the cross, or the men hiding in the upper room?