Peter and forgiveness

[debraran]

I am fortunate to go to a very devout Dominican church (people at confession weekly) and also watch EWTN. I have heard 2 priests bring up the fact during Easter season, that although some defile Judas, most Catholics should leave his fate up to God and not “sentence him on earth”. Pope John Paul ll said, we don’t know what Jesus meant by his words or how literal they were and I agree…there are so many reasons he would wish he wasn’t born and he was an example of “what not to do”.
I did hear 2 priests bring up also that St. Peter was not the epitome of a faithful servant then either. Not once in scripture do we hear Peter say he was sorry, none, BEFORE Jesus died. We see a sorry apostole when he leaves the boat to swim to him, but even then, he is asked 3 times, if he loves him, but we are not privey to any “I’m sorry Lord”. They were hiding when Jesus first appeared to them behind locked doors. I think in some ways, Judas knew he helped kill Jesus, but didn’t understand it was going to happen, no matter what. Jesus could have gotten out of it at any time, that just started the ball rolling.
Judas, did what many, unfortunately do in deep despair, kill themselves, and the fact he didn’t understand Jesus, was shared by the men that didn’t stay with him before, during and after his death. If Judas said, “Im sorry Lord” before he let the rope go, we wont know any more than we will with Peter. He had a second chance and much grace that came after the resurrection. I can only hope that we can learn how much Christ can forgive, when he forgave them for being so scared and doubting. Many don’t realize there isn’t scripture for any forgiveness conversation with Jesus and the aposotles. Actions do speak louder than words though.
I think we all believe at times, we can’t be forgiven, some go to confession for the same sin, many times, but most of us don’t suffer from severe depression. As the priest said, dispair is the worst thing, it robs us of the freedom of knowing God loves us…may we all never fall that deep into the pit and may God, who knows our mental state, welcome our misguided brothers and sisters after death.
I pray for my friend, who after her husband killed himself years ago (20) was treated horribly by our church and never returned. I’m glad they have understood the psychology of suicide better, but many, many people have been hurt in the interim.

 

[MarcoPolo]

I did hear 2 priests bring up also that St. Peter was not the epitome of a faithful servant then either. Not once in scripture do we hear Peter say he was sorry, none, BEFORE Jesus died.

Traditionally, and I know I’ve heard this from a couple priests and even Mother Angelica if I remember right, it is understood when Peter ran and “wept” he was repenting.

You also have the “Do you love me more than these?” scene when Jesus thrice asks Peter if he loves Him, which parallels the thrice denial Peter made earlier.

Prayers for your friends.

 

[Mickey]

Traditionally, and I know I’ve heard this from a couple priests and even Mother Angelica if I remember right, it is understood when Peter ran and “wept” he was repenting.

You also have the “Do you love me more than these?” scene when Jesus thrice asks Peter if he loves Him, which parallels the thrice denial Peter made earlier.

Prayers for your friends.

Absolutely! St Peter is a great example of true repentance. He denied Christ three times and wept bitter tears of repentance. In contrast, Judas did not repent, fell into despair, and hanged himself–but only God knows the condition of his soul.

Also, regarding suicide—for a person to take their own life means that they are not in their right mind. We must believe that the Lord will be merciful.

 

[debraran]

Yes, anyone who is sorry, throws away the money, and really realizes what he did, (Christ didn’t even try to get away) was very sorry…if he wasn’t, he would have kept the money, and went on to start something new another day. To take your own life, is a serious thing and I don’t believe done with all your faculties.
I believe, like many priests, Judas was very bright in some ways, not spritual, but bright. He REALLY knew Jesus was special, was God, or he wouldn’t have done what he did, he expected him to rebel, as he would have. The forgiveness part, no one understood, especially his apostles. Even Thomas doubted him in person…to pick on Judas because he doubted he would forgive him, seems odd. Many of us do that everyday, but not many have the courage for lack of a better word or despair to kill ourselves thankfully.
Reading this always gave me chills as a child and still does:

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned , repented himself , and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying , I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said , What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed , and went and hanged himself . 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said , It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore that field was called , The field of blood, unto this day. 9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying , And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued , whom they of the children of Israel did value ; 10

 

[Mickey]

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned , repented himself , and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying , I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said , What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed , and went and hanged himself . 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said , It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore that field was called , The field of blood, unto this day. 9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying , And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued , whom they of the children of Israel did value ; 10

And there is a very important lesson here:

True repentance does not lead to despair.