Denial

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘I do not know or understand what you are talking about.’ And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’ But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.’ But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about.’ At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:66-72

I must say I love Peter for his honesty and his humanity. He denied Jesus in his fear of being arrested and tortured, and immediately realized his failure. Like every other human being in that situation, he protects himself, and is tortured by his failure. We are all like Peter. Noble in one moment, terrified and felling in the next. And through Peter, we are invited to be fully human as he is. For this is how God makes us, love us and seeks us out, in our full, broken humanity. 

Precious Creator, you know our hearts

in their generosity and their fearfulness

our passions and in our dark soul nights

and love us completely despite our denials.

We often turn from you in pride and fear

we often turn our backs when we are pushed

we try to fit in with the crowd at hand

yet you call us yours even as we deny you.

Mold us and make us your own again, Lord

teach us to weep with those who weep today

and dance with those who celebrate again

so the world might know your ever forgiving love. Amen.