Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
“If I had known then what I know now” is a common expression as we look back over the events and experiences of our lives. Some early choices and decisions might seem rather naïve or even misguided in the light of hard-won wisdom and valuable learning experiences. Today we can either choose to focus on missed opportunities and stumbles of the past or focus on what we have learned through the marvelous gifts of the present.
This comes to mind as the liturgical readings for today provide a window to observe and appreciate the way St. Peter came to a new understanding. The question Peter asks in the Gospel might be coming from a hard-nosed businessman struggling to do the right thing. He simply asks: “Look, we’ve given up everything, so what’s in it for us?” The answer Jesus gave him might have gone over his head at that moment. It was a promise of a hundred-fold return, along with some jolting aspects of persecution and a servant-level position.
So if we fast-forward to the first reading where Peter is sharing his faith with his community after the Resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit we find that a transformation has taken place. The doubts and fears of former times have now been replaced with a full-throated proclamation. The gift of holiness is real, it assists us in every aspect of our daily life, and it helps us to give meaning to suffering and death. It amounts to a hundred-fold!
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections