DAILY PRAYER

“‘My children, I will be with you only a little while longer… Where I go you cannot come… Simon Peter said to him, ‘Master, where are you going?’ Jesus answered him, ‘‘Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.’ Peter said to him, ‘Master, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’” (Jn 13:33-37)

Peter insisted on knowing what was going to happen to the Master, and even offered to accompany Jesus to His death.  Our Lord gently reminded Peter of the weakness of human nature: “The cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” (Jn 13:38) 

During the Last Supper, Jesus also had to suffer Judas’ presence, who would ultimately deliver Our Lord to those who would kill Him.

Said Jesus to Judas: “What you are going to do, do quickly.”   (Jn 13:27)

Perhaps Jesus felt a little better after Judas left. After Judas was gone, Our Lord opened His soul to His intimate friends: “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him…”   (Jn 13:31)

In this soulful prayer, Jesus alluded to His impending death. But, for whatever divine rationale, He did not explain to them what was about to happen: “Where I go you cannot come.”

Jesus acknowledged Peter’s eager good intentions while at the same time knowing he would stumble at first.  After his repentance, Peter would later become a courageous martyr for the Lord: “You cannot follow me now, though  you will follow later.”

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 57:7 “They have set a trap for my feet; my soul is bowed down.”

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