Reflection: We hear Peter declare that he will lay his
life down for Christ, and yet Jesus knows that Peter will deny Him in His
darkest hour. We face this same inner
struggle and sinfulness in our own lives.
“The Lord called me from the birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my
name.” God has declared us His own, and
we have lovingly called Him our Father.
In spite of all of this, we still struggle at times in our lives to
stand up for God and to love Him and serve Him as He asks us to. It is certainly not always easy, just as it
was not always easy for Peter and the other disciples. Many times we might feel as though we have “toiled
in vain, and for nothing”, yet the Lord is our strength and He is always by our
side. No matter how many times we deny
Him and turn from Him, He will always welcome us back. Peter denied our Lord three times, and still
Peter is the “rock” upon which Jesus’ Church is built. God always welcomes us back.
Reflection
for younger saints:
We follow Jesus in His final days before His Passion and death on the
cross. Today we read of Jesus’ knowledge
of the disciples that would deny Him and would turn Him over to be killed.
Big
Picture: He called us
from birth, He always loves us
Discussion
Starters:
Younger saints: What is the name of the disciple who will betray Jesus? What is the name of the disciple who will deny Jesus three times before the cock crows? What does Jesus tell His disciples about where He is going? (“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Jesus is going to heaven, but we cannot follow Him until our time has come.)
Older saints: Reflect on the statement “the Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.” What does that mean to you? What does that mean regarding the love and value of all human life, even before birth?
Younger saints: What is the name of the disciple who will betray Jesus? What is the name of the disciple who will deny Jesus three times before the cock crows? What does Jesus tell His disciples about where He is going? (“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Jesus is going to heaven, but we cannot follow Him until our time has come.)
Older saints: Reflect on the statement “the Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.” What does that mean to you? What does that mean regarding the love and value of all human life, even before birth?
Fun
Fact: When we
receive Holy Communion we are receiving the true body and blood of Jesus, not
just a symbol.
Saint
of the day:
Name: Saint Margaret of Clitherow
What they are remembered for: St. Margaret Clitherow was a faithful wife and mother. She was raised Protestant, but converted to the Catholic Church a few years into her marriage. She helped to harbor fugitive priests, which resulted in her capture. After her refusal to deny her Catholic faith, she was pressed to death by authorities. Upon hearing of her impending death, she is quoted as saying: "The sheriffs have said that I am going to die this coming Friday; and I feel the weakness of my flesh which is troubled at this news, but my spirit rejoices greatly. For the love of God, pray for me and ask all good people to do likewise."
Feast day: March 26
Daily Notes:
Name: Saint Margaret of Clitherow
What they are remembered for: St. Margaret Clitherow was a faithful wife and mother. She was raised Protestant, but converted to the Catholic Church a few years into her marriage. She helped to harbor fugitive priests, which resulted in her capture. After her refusal to deny her Catholic faith, she was pressed to death by authorities. Upon hearing of her impending death, she is quoted as saying: "The sheriffs have said that I am going to die this coming Friday; and I feel the weakness of my flesh which is troubled at this news, but my spirit rejoices greatly. For the love of God, pray for me and ask all good people to do likewise."
Feast day: March 26
Daily Notes:
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