Thursday, March 14, 2013

Lenten Reflections: Separation


"And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly." - Matthew 26:75

Withdrawal and separation bring an emotional disconnection from God and others. When we pull away, emotionally or physically, we find ourselves alone. We are not beings created for separation. 






Separation brings isolation.

Isolation brings fear.

Fear brings pain.

Pain brings release.

Release brings sorrow. 

The result of Peter's withdrawal was separation. Once proclaiming Jesus to be the "Messiah, the Son of the living God", he now felt the full force of his separation. 

ONE TWO THREE....WEEP

"How did I get to this place?"

"Peter wept bitterly"  This is a picture of the complete release of sorrow. There are no more barriers. No more defenses. Not enough tears can be released. No volume of wailing can do justice to the agony felt deep within. 

During lent, we come face to face with what separates us from God and others. We see the pain of separation and how much damage it does to the Kingdom of God. There is no place for separation in God's Kingdom, and when we choose to remove ourselves from natural union with God and others, we experience the similar suffering that Peter endured. 

Lord, in our selfishness, we sometimes choose separation. And as with Peter, we feel the pain and sorrow that follows. Help us to stay united to You and others, so that the Kingdom of God can be clearly seen by the world around us. Amen