"And forgive us our trespasses."

In Luke 22:54-62 there is a wonderful telling of the betrayal of Jesus by Peter. It is my favorite telling of the story because it captures a dramatic moment in freeze frame. At the moment of Peter's betrayal in the garden of the High Priest Caiaphas, Jesus and Peter lock eyes. We are told that Peter left this moment to go weep bitterly, which he no doubt did. Luke, a companion of Paul, was a contemporary of the family of Jesus. He, with Paul, had visited with those who were eye witnesses, who had heard Peter's story. The "look" that passed between Peter and Jesus has the ring of an eye witness account.

Think a moment of the look that must have been on Jesus' face to prompt Peter's despair. At the Last Supper, Jesus had told Peter that Peter would betray him and Peter had denied it adamantly. But we also know that Peter was one of the Lord's very close friends. The look must have been deeply loving, understanding, pitying, compassionate, firm in His love for Peter. It is the same love and forgiveness he gives us today from the cross. It is the only instruction in the prayer he taught us. It is the strength of the small child, who weeps when we hurt him and then, minutes later, leaps into our lap for a hug. Forgive us Lord, for our pride and our unclean hearts. Give us the strength to forgive all who have hurt us, and help us leap back into relationship and affection with our brothers and sisters.