At Lenten Compline, 6.3.24 John 18:12-27 It was fitting that it happened in the cold and darkness of night. Our Lord was betrayed, handed over into the hands of those who sought His death. Most of the disciples had fled, abandoning him. Peter and the beloved disciple follow Jesus to the residence of the high priest. The beloved disciple, known to the circle of the high priest, enters in. He negotiates Peter’s entry. That beloved disciple then goes to observe the proceedings of the trial of Jesus. Peter is left in the dark and the cold - and the dark and cold enfold him, not only physically, but spiritually. For on this night, Peter, a leader of the apostolic band, the one who had earlier that evening boasted of his fidelity to Jesus, even unto death, denies his Lord. Peter enters into the cold darkness of faithlessness, of failure. John’s Gospel sets before us Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus in stark detail. No attempt is made to explain away Peter’s denial. No. Peter failed. An...
Old High - Burkean - clerk in holy orders