Moment of Meditation: Peter's Boast (Matthew 26:33-35)

''Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." ... Then Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" (Matthew 26:33-35)''

St. Peter was always the boastful sort. His frequent boasts and arrogance help to see him as Andrew's older brother. Probably the oldest of the four Bethsaida fisherman disciples.

His boasting in Gethsemane cements this idea a bit more. "Even if all are made to stumble." I'm better than everyone else. You can count on me, Jesus. I'm going to stand next to you come Hell or high water.

But when it comes time to stand up, Peter lays down. When it comes time to put up or shut up, Peter tucks his tail between his legs and runs. What a great boast on Peter's part.

But Peter later receives absolution. Jesus forgives him of his sins of boasting and denying. Jesus forgives all sin. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven except unbelief. Peter believed himself to be a great sinner from the moment Jesus looks at him from Caiaphas' house until that moment of forgiveness on the beach.

Yes, Peter sinned. But he was forgiven. Yes, you have sinned. You also may be forgiven. My door is always open to hear your confession and to proclaim Jesus' forgiveness to you. Receive the forgiveness Jesus died to give you. Amen.