Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
21[Reclining at table with his disciples,] Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” ... 23One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. 24So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. 25He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” 26Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and [took it and] handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. 27After he took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” ... 30So he took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.
31When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32[If God is glorified in him,] God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. 33My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”
36Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered [him], “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” 37Peter said to him, “Master, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”
You deny me three times. Jesus predicts Peter’s denial. Who among us has not sinned and experienced moments of weakness and shame? What secret denials have we kept in our closets? What childhood bravery turned adult cowardice have we been hiding in our memories? How often have we been afraid to stand up for somebody or to take the blame and the punishment? What fears have driven us to scamper for safety?
Sin and denial, cowardice and weakness, fear and shame—we need not stay where we have fallen. We have to learn from them and make amends. We must face them and then live on with courage. We cannot remain holed in safety. We have to take courage and correct mistakes.
The Lord sees and understands our weaknesses. Let us not allow our faults to dictate or cover the rest of us. We also have brave hearts, courageous spirits, and daring souls. Let our courage, not our fears, rule our lives.