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

All of us know what it feels like to be betrayed. And all of us have denied knowing someone or being responsible for some disaster or another. We do not like the shame and fear, so we run from our responsibility. It is an all too often very human response. Peter was like all of us, a flawed human being, getting it right sometimes and putting both feet in his mouth others. In the end, this flawed human becomes the head of Christ's Church throughout the Roman empire. Our failures are used by God, more so than our good moments. It is that point of shame and embarrassment when we turn to God and open ourselves completely. Our broken hearts are often the sacred entry point for new life. May we humans remember our failings, take responsibility for our errors and open our hearts always to the divine.

Forgiving Creator, the heart of all the world

you love us as we are with all our mistakes 

you take our failings and make a home with us.

We are arrogant and fearful of great embarrassment

we live as we are perfect and hide our failures

yet you are with us in the darkest, most painful times.

Help us Lord, to admit to our denials and failures

give us the strength to seek you out in these moments

trusting that you will make a home with all of us here. Amen.