Read Luke 22:54-62
 
“Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”
“Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

Prayer:



Jesus, thank you for Peter. 

Help me to see that I too deny you in so many areas of my life, in so many ways, and at so many different times during the day.

When I am too busy to pray, I deny that you are the centre of my life.

When I neglect your Word, I deny that you are the competent to guide my life.

When I worry, I deny that you are Lord of my circumstances. 

When I turn my head from the hungry and the homeless, I deny that you are a God of mercy who has put me here to be your hands and your feet.

When I steal something from another person to enrich or enhance my life — whether that be something material or some credit that is rightly due another, which I have claimed for myself — I deny that you are the source of all blessings.

Forgive me, Jesus, for all those quiet ways, known only to you, that I have denied you.

Give me eyes to see and recognise what is in my heart and as I look into my Saviours eyes, help me to see the love and forgiveness that Peter saw.

Amen.

Read Luke 23:38-43
 
“There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

We know nothing about the criminal on the cross, next to Christ. We don’t know how much he stole or how often. From whom or why. 
We know only that he is a thief.

Prayer:



Jesus, help me to look at you through the eyes of the thief on the cross. And grant me 
the grace to see in your eyes the 
forgiveness that he saw. 

For I too, have stolen much.

When I have gossiped, I have taken from another’s reputation, when I have raised my voice in anger, I have taken something away from peace.

When I have aided and abetted immoral thoughts, I have stolen from another’s dignity, depreciating that person from a sacred object of your love to a common object of my own lust.

When I have hurt someone’s feelings, I have taken something from that person’s self-worth — something which might never be replaced, something for which I might never be able to make restitution.

When I have spoken the truth, but not in love, I have stolen from your kingdom by pushing a soul, not closer but further away from the borders of paradise.

Remember me, Jesus, no less a thief than the one who hung next to you that day. As you promised him eternal life so that you also promise me. I am forever grateful. 



Amen.

Read John 19: 25-27
“Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother -  His mother’s sister, Mary, [the wife of Clopas] -  and Mary Magdalene. So, Jesus, seeing his mother, and the disciple whom he loved and esteemed, standing near, said to his mother, “Dear Woman look, here is your son! Then He said to the disciple, “Look here is your mother, protect and provide for her!” and from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.”

Pray

Jesus you were stripped of everything, yet still found so much to give; to your executioners, forgiveness; to a thief, paradise; to your mother a son.

Help us never to forget, Lord, that this is where we need to be – near to the Cross, beholding our Saviour. For this is the fountain where love is most pure. This is where we are cleansed not only from our sin but from our pettiness. This is where we are closest to you. Draw us, today, that your love would completely overwhelm us, drawing us into the beauty of who you are, regardless of what consequences we may have to suffer. For whatever those consequences might be, they will pale by comparison to what you suffered for us.

Give us the grace Jesus to see at the cross today, a picture of your love that we will never forget.

Amen.