April 5, 2007

“Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.” John 13:38

The denial of another person is a rejection of a history together. It says, at least subtly, “I never knew you; I never really believed you; we never had a special relationship.” The two people go separate ways, one experiencing the psychological trauma of hurt and rejection, the other arrogantly marching along life until, of course, he is overcome and swallowed by his pride, leading only to repentance or despair.

Sin has this nature of denial in it. Each time we sin, (some more so than others) we are rejecting God, His love, His commandments, His mercy, and His very presence. We replace this with our own arrogance and selfishness, removing ourselves from everything that is beautiful and transcendent and placing ourselves in the hopelessness and emptiness that exists once God is removed.

Br. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, CFR

St. Joseph Friary, New York, NY

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