In Mediterranean culture, family and friends shared one bowl at meals. It was an expression of their closeness to each other.

When Jesus hands the morsel to Judas Iscariot, he dips it into the common bowl. He is silently pleading with his betrayer. Jesus is reminding Judas that he loves him as his own and grants him the freedom to betray with a kiss. Judas will fall into despair.

Then there is Peter. He will play his role in the drama of Christ’s passion as both petra and skandalon, Rock of God and the Stumbling Block. Peter will hear the cock after he denies the Lord, yet he will repent strengthen his brothers to lead the Church.

Both of these men were called by Jesus and saw something extraordinary about him. Both witnessed exceptional graces as they shared in the mission of Jesus. They witnessed the raising of Lazarus and the casting of devils. They had the immense joy of living with Jesus and shared a special intimacy with him. How then did they turn out differently?

Judas began to cut corners. He thought he knew better than others. He was with the apostles, but was not united in mind and he grew in small infidelities. He had an I deserve attitude.

Peter made many mistakes. Peter failed to walk on water. He had an attitude that he would never deny the Lord and stumbled. Yet, Peter desired to repent and ultimately love Jesus.

As we stand before the Lord, we come to him this night to share in the morsel of the Eucharist. What will our attitude be? Jesus calls us to follow him in his passion. Will we want to cut corners and do it our way or will we desire to be rock and stumbling block, recognizing our weaknesses like Peter?Perhaps we can come to receive the Bread of eternal life, praying for the strength to be like Peter.

On this night, we will sing of our salvation in Jesus Christ who is the central protagonist of this whole week we call holy. It is not about us. It is about Jesus who loved us with such passion. How can our hearts resist such love?