In Fulton J. Sheen’s magnificent work Life of Christ, he compares the attitude of Peter to that of Judas following their denials of Jesus at the beginning of His Passion:
“Peter was now filled with repentance, as Judas in a few hours would be filled with remorse. Peter’s sorrow was caused by the thought of sin itself or the wounding of the Person of God. Repentance is not concerned with consequences; but remorse is inspired principally by fear of consequences.”
Sheen elaborates on the attitude of Judas a little later:
“Judas was repentant unto himself, but not unto the Lord. He was disgusted with the effects of his sin, but not with the sin. Everything can be pardoned except the refusal to seek pardon, as life can forgive everything except the acceptance of death. His remorse was only a self-hatred, and self-hatred is suicidal. To hate the self is the beginning of slaughter. It is salutary only when associated with the love of God.”
These passages make me think:
- Am I thinking of God or of worldly consequences when I regret taking a certain action or having a certain thought?
- How far would I go to keep myself from doing something that inflicts a wound of Jesus?
- Have I given adequate attention to the consequences of letting consequences rather than the love of God drive my actions?
