The journey from the Mount of Transfiguration to Mount Calvary has many components that hurt Jesus deeply. Some of them were physical. Some of them were verbal. Peter's denial was verbal. It hurt deeply, even though Jesus knew and had predicted it.
As we journey to Mount Calvary, we should be careful about being too judgmental of Peter's behavior. Most of us, too, can easily remember our own unfaithfulness. And our denials have most likely come under much less stressful situations than Peter's.
As with Peter, so it is with us. Our Lord's forgiveness is extended to us full and free. As Jesus urged Peter to "Feed my lambs" (John 21:15b), so He urges us to be bold and faithful to the risen Christ-no matter what the consequences.
THE PRAYER: O Jesus, forgive our denials, make bold our witness. Amen.
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