April 2, 2021 FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD (GOOD FRIDAY)-B

Exodus 52:13-53:12

Psalm 31

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

John 18:1-19:42

And he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.  Is. 53:12

“You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?”  Peter said, “I am not.” John 18:17

Lord, Peter claimed complete loyalty to you not long before your arrest.  Words come easy when times are good. But now that events seemed to be turning out badly he wavered. Did he have doubts or second thoughts about who you were or how all this was going to turn out? Did fear overtake him or was the price of loyalty too much to pay? I can’t be too hard on Peter because I too have denied you more often than I can count. It is my sins that got you arrested. My evil choices that got you scourged. And it is my self-centered ways that you carried up that hill.  I drove in the nails and watched you die. I threw the lance that pierced your side. You forgave Peter, forgive me also. You forgot his denial, forget mine too. I want to remain loyal to you today in good times and bad. Give me the grace to not fail you when trials come. Help me to remain your disciple to the end.  Peter turned it around and did all right by you. May I do the same.  Amen.