Good morning good people may the Lord give you peace and health in the Holy Spirit.  

It is 27th March 2024. We reflect on Isaiah 50:4-9 and Matthew 26:14-25.

Our intention of doing things can either dedicate or destroy our connections with people.

We are given two apostles who were so close to Jesus yet one betrayed and another denied. 

It hurts to the core when people who are so close and intimate in a relationship betray and deny it. It shakes the foundations of love and hope. Our intention of doing things can either dedicate or destroy our connections with people. 

Betrayal could happen at any level of relationship. A spouse betrays the other spouse by hiding the unfaithful relationships and toxic thoughts. A child betrays parents by hiding the struggles and challenges and resorting to easy means of momentary happiness. 

The failure to admit our brokenness is the betrayal we all continue to commit against humanity and Jesus. 

We can betray for monetary value, out of vengeance and rage, and when our expectations are not met. 

Allow the light and truth of Christ to fall upon us.

Most often our expectations turn sour as disappointments. 

A denial is a wilful act with no serious intentions except to save one’s skin. Denial is a defence mechanism we all love to hide at times without realizing how much pain we cause to others. We all need to deal with the shadows of our personalities that can only be dealt with by allowing the light and truth of Christ to fall upon us. 

God never forgets us even when we are surrounded by suffering and pain. 

May we come closer to Jesus by recognizing the other person as God values him or her. 

God bless you.

Fr. Peter Fernando, OFMCap.
Director, Office of Family Ministry, Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (AVOSA).Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.♣Website:https://reflectionsofpeter.org/.♣Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/samarpet