"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread" sums up the episode that occurs as Jesus and his disciples walk to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus warns them that they will "all fall away", but Peter responds to this not with contemplation but defiance. When Jesus assures him that this very night he will indeed disown Jesus, Peter foolish digs in and insists otherwise. Why? Some combination of pride and stubbornness, with perhaps misplaced zeal added in, leads Peter down a fool's path. Seeing him begin, the other 10 follow by also insisting against Jesus' prediction that they will remain steadfast.
For the Church today, this offers a reminder that pride and stubbornness are not the traits God is looking for from his people. Neither is 'rugged individualism' (i.e. the philosophy of Ayn Rand or Rush Limbaugh) the path to discipleship. The Church requires servants working together to further the Kingdom of God, more Clark Kent, less Superman. Like Lewis and Clark on the way to the Pacific, we'd be wise to seek a guide and companionship.
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