13 March 2013 4th Week of Lent -- Wednesday Repentance and conversion of St Peter St Peter’s grievous fall had wounded Jesus more than all his other injuries. “And the Lord, turning, looked on Peter.” (Lk 22:61) It was a glance of mingled reproach and mercy, which instantly wrought his conversion. Daily Jesus shows this same goodness towards numerous poor sinners. He looks mercifully on them as he did with the penitent King David when he cried out, “Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me” (Ps 51:1). Terror had so completely possessed St Peter and blinded him to the extent of his sin. Jesus came to his rescue, and opened his eyes. Henceforth, his gratitude was fervent and constant. If we recall our past sins, we will know how often grace has roused us from the sleep of death. Deep, then, ought to be our gratitude. “Peter remembered the words Jesus had said: ‘Before the cock crows twice, thou shalt thrice deny me’.” (Mk 14:72; Mt 26:75) One look from Jesus wrought a sudden and wonderful change in the heart of the faithless disciple. In an instant the darkness which surrounded his soul disappeared. He saw clearly the gravity of his sin. He remembered all his Master’s forewarnings at the last Supper and in the Garden of Olives. His heart was filled, not with despair, but with deepest contrition. He was transformed into the model of a true penitent. Grace indeed works wonders! Silently, it penetrates the soul, strengthens; and shows it the instability of creatures, the horror of sin, filling it with a deep, salutary contrition. It makes the sinner shed tears of grief, love, and joy; purifies the soul from unruly affections; disengages it from the world and draws it towards God. “And going forth, he wept bitterly.” (Lk 22:62) The fall of St Peter had been grievous and public. His repentance was generous and fervent. Immediately, he fled from the place and the company which had occasioned his fall. Alone, he began to shed those bitter tears which may be said never ceased till his death. He mourned over the humiliation of his fall, the thought of his ingratitude, the grief and pain he had given at the very moment his Divine Master was manifesting his love for him. Not only did our Lord pardon his penitent disciple, but gave back all the privileges which had been granted him before his fall. If we, like St Peter, have been unfaithful, let us imitate him in his repentance. Recalling our past ingratitude and of God’s goodness to us, should inspire us with deeper humility, more steadfast trust, and an unlimited generosity in works of charity. Thus, with God’s grace, we shall be able to bring good out of evil. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp115-7 A Path of Faith Lent is presented ‘in the likeness of a path’, like that to which God called Abraham: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land I will show you.” (Gen 12:1) He set off, without lingering nor any support other than the divine promise. Lent is a journey for us, too. We are called to face it with determination; to entrust ourselves to the plans God has for us. Even though the journey may be full of trials, St Paul assures us that, like Timothy, each of us is helped by “the strength which comes from God” (2 Tim 1:8). And the country toward which we are heading is ‘the Christian’s new life’. It is a paschal Life, which can be realized only through the ‘power’ and the ‘grace’ of God: a mysterious power, “the grace held out to us in Christ Jesus before the world began; but now made manifest by the appearance of our Savior. He has robbed death of its power and has brought life and immortality into clear light through the gospel.” (2 Tim 1:9-10) The letter to Timothy also points out that the bread of new life is given to us because of a mysterious calling and assignment on God’s part “not because of any merit of ours but according to His own design” (2 Tim 1:9). So we ought to be men and women of faith, like Abraham; that is, who do not count so much on themselves as on the word, the grace and the power of God. The Lord Jesus, while living on earth, personally revealed this way to His disciples. Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp113-4 The Guiding Influence of the Holy Spirit A correct understanding of the teaching of Jesus makes us react in a creative and co-operative fashion to the challenges that face us in life, without fear of acting mistakenly and alone, but under the guiding influence of his own Holy Spirit at every moment, in every circumstance, great or small. This extraordinary divine assistance is guaranteed to all who offer their lives to Jesus. God the Father’s plan of salvation embraces all mankind; his one same Holy Spirit is sent as gift to all who are open to receive him in faith. We each form a part of God’s overall plan. ‘An exclusively personal and private attitude to salvation is not Christian’ and is born of a fundamentally mistaken mentality. Consequently, your lives cannot be lived in isolation, and even ‘in deciding your future you must always keep in mind your responsibility’ as a Christian towards others. There is no place in your lives for apathy or indifference to the world around you. Selfishness has no place in the Church. You must show a conscientious concern that the standards of society fit the plan of God. Christ counts on you, so the effects of his Holy Spirit may radiate from you to others, and thus permeate every aspect of public and private sectors of national life. To each person the Spirit’s manifestation is given for the common good. (1 Cor 12:7) Do not let the sight of the world in turmoil shake your confidence in Jesus. Not even the threat of nuclear war. Follow the example of Our Blessed Lady, the perfect model of trust in God and wholehearted cooperation in his divine plan for salvation of mankind. Keep in mind the advice she gave servants at Cana: “Do whatever he [Jesus] tells you.” (Jn 2:5) Jesus changed the water into wine for his Mother on that occasion. Through her intercession he will transform your lives. Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp215-6 • Our Lady of the Empress, at Rome. A tradition records that this image spoke to St. Gregory the Great, in the year 593.—(Antonius Yepez, ad ann. 84, divi Benedicti.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of the Empress. Rome. 593. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of the Empress, Rome (593) (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of the Empress (Rome). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)