Peter is there at the Last Supper, as are the other eleven disciples.  Jesus breaks the bread and takes the cup.  Jesus shares how they will all fall away that evening, the night of betrayal.  Peter confidently declares that he will not “fall away”.  Then Jesus speaks those famous words predicting that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows.  Peter says he will be faithful unto death. 

Peter accompanies Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane and is present when Jesus is arrested.  He followed from a distance as they took Jesus.  When Peter was recognized as being associated with Jesus, he denied, not once, not twice, but three times, and then the rooster crows.  Peter remembers Jesus’ prediction, and he weeps bitterly.

We too stand confidently on the truth of who Jesus is, and we follow.  Following becomes costly, and we distance ourselves.  We find ourselves denying what we said we wouldn’t.  We come to the depths of our humanity, and we weep bitterly. 

Scripture - Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75