Lent #4: A Lenten Confession.

 Do you also

   wish to leave me? (John 6:67)

The Gospels tell of two Peter confessions. The first took place up at Caesarea Philippi when Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” To which Peter confesses, “Thou art the Christ!” (Mk 8:29)  In no time, Jesus says to Peter, “Get behind me Satan” (Mk 8:33). 

The second, less known confession, takes place back home at Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee, when Jesus began to speak of his suffering. He offended the crowd by talking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. It offends us still. After such talk, “many of Jesus’ disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (Jn 6:66). Jesus turns to the twelve and asks, “Do you also want to leave me?” To which Peter answers, “Lord, where else are we going to go?” (Jn 6:68). That’s a Lenten confession. Sometimes, that’s the best we can do. Where else are we going to go?

Surprisingly, the second and less known confession, holds up over the long haul. The first, more heroic confession, ends up faltering. Heroic confessions can get us into trouble. A more sober, Lenten like confession, keeps us close to Jesus even in times of suffering. “Where else are we going to go? Only you have the words of eternal life.”