A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away." At that he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly. (Mt 26:14-27:66)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040223.cfm
Peter’s anguish over his denials breaks the hearts of all believers because we’ve all been there. Perhaps not in some grand gesture of rejection, but in the many little daily denials. But mercy surrounds us, every moment of our lives and gives us the grace to extend that mercy to others. To love as Jesus has loved us all. May this Holy Week before us be filled with grace and renewal to ministry and service of God’s people.
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
