Each Gospel is the author's "portrait" of Jesus. Each is true, but each looks from a different angle (as portraits do) and the emphasis is different ... just as portraits of the same person vary from artist to artist.
Consider today's text. In Matthew's and Mark's account of this conversation, Jesus chides his disciples that they will soon abandon him. But Luke has Jesus affirm them: "You have stood by me in my trials." (Well, they have, but in a few hours they will scatter.)
Ever notice how some people do that so well - try to see the good side of everyone (like grandparents with their grandchildren)? That's a side of Jesus that Luke wants us to know: Always affirming other people.
People will pass through your life today. you could go out of your way to give them affirmation ... sort of a form of giving alms. Not a bad idea for Lent. Not too hard either.
But before you do that, you can take some minutes right now to picture Jesus affirming you. You have your good points too.
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw