When Peter denied Christ, when he repeatedly kept saying that he does not know nor belong to Jesus, he probably thought that Jesus would not know about this denial. Peter was concerned about his safety, and since no other disciple and no Master were around, he chose to lie that he was not one of the disciples. Who would know that he was just thinking to himself -- I just want to be safe, I will not tell my brothers about this incident. I think about Peter, but then I think about myself. What would I do in a situation like that? Would I be brave enough to admit that I knew Jesus, or I would rather choose to lie to save my life? I am not Peter and I live in different times now, but just like Peter, I call myself Jesus’ disciple, a Christian. So, I should never be afraid to admit that I am a believer. However, there are times when I don’t want to admit that I am a Catholic Priest to avoid uncomfortable questions. I choose not to make a sign of the cross in public or hold a rosary on a plane. In the gospel for today, Jesus reminds us that God knows everything, even those moments when we try to hide our religion and our belief in God from others. He warns us: “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."
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