Lent – Day 36: Tuesday of Holy Week: “Before the Cock crows, you would deny me three times.”

John 13:21-33, 36-38

Peter was one of Jesus’ companions. He was one of his closest friends. There was no doubt that he loved the Lord. Yet it was to him that the Lord said: “Before the cock crows, you would deny me three times.” His problem was not his love for the lord neither was his desire, for we know that his spirit was willing but not his flesh. We cannot put our trust in our strength or our desires. God must always be our strength. Without God we can do nothing.

The important lesson of this picture is that there was something in Peter that needed saving. He had to learn that no matter how bad his past has been, no matter how gruesome his actions were, he can always begin again, he can always begin afresh. That is salvation. This is the chance to become who we have always been, the chance to be sons and daughters of God.

Before the cock crows you would have denied me three times and betrayed me, but I will, knowing this, still give my life for you. This is our Lord’s words to us this Holy Tuesday. The Lord will never give up on us.

Let us Pray

My dearest God, You know us through and through, and yet love us incomprehensibly. Help us to stay close to you. Help us to never forget how much you love us. Help us to never give up on ourselves, on others, and on the love you have for us. May nothing, not even sin, ever separate us from your compassionate love.

May God bless you all.