Still Hoping for Failure
Then seizing him [Jesus], they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest [Caiaphas]. Peter followed at a distance. . . .A servant girl . . . said, ‘This man was with him.’ But he denied it. ‘Woman, I don’t know him,’ he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’ ‘Man, I am not!’ Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’ Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:54-62)
Our parish began this Lent with a clear message from Fr. David and myself that we hope the entire parish will fail in our Lenten promises. We are both hopeful that St. Thomas Parish will be unsuccessful each time we attempt to rely only on our own efforts, so that little by little during this Lenten season we will turn more and more to God. This morning’s opening prayer at the litugry expresses the same sentiments:
Lord,
watch over your Church,
and guide it with your unfailing love.
Protect us from what could harm us
and lead us to what will save us.
Help us always,
for without you we are bound to fail.
Last night I spent some time reflecting upon Saint Peter and the great love he had for his friend Jesus. I don’t know anyone who would deny the special bond that existed between Jesus and Peter conveyed throughout the Gospels. Yet, at the moment when Jesus most needed the support of His friend Peter, he was denied. He was denied not just once, but three times.
The amazing thing about Peter is that he did not let his failures get in the way of continuing his relationship with Christ. When Jesus gave him the opportunity for reconciliation, he took it, not letting pride get in the way.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
My guess is that even after this exchange Peter was not a perfect friend to Jesus. He probably failed again on more than one occasion. What we do know is that he went to his death proclaiming the Gospel to others. The fear that ruled him at Christ’s crucifixion was replaced by faith at his own.
I don’t have any perfect friends, but I have several faithful ones. May we not let our own failures to follow Christ get in the way of our faithfulness to Him. We don’t have to be perfect Christians. It is enough to simply ask for mercy when we need it and remember that love never fails.
About The Author
It’s because of his mistakes St. Peter is my favorite apostle. I can relate to him in his failures. Thank you for this post!
I really like both Peter and Paul!
Thanks for the comment.
I love this! A successful Lent will mean that we fail because it means that we will rely more on God to help us. So true! (While I was reading your post,my 14 year old son came in the room and asked why I was listening to this song and told me that it is an awesome song! Don’t you love it that “oldies” are appreciated by the youth?)
Glad he likes the song…..and we are only half way through Lent. You ain’t seen nothing yet!