and Peter too.

Mark 16:7 " But go, tell His disciples, and Peter to, "He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see HIm, just as He told you.'"

In the passion story, Peter turned on Jesus. Peter thought of himself as Jesus' right hand man, he was the rock of the church, thus the name Peter (a play on the Greek word "Petra" or rock). Here is the one who was the support of Jesus. But on that night before the crucifixion, Peter turned on Christ. In order to save his own skin, Peter denied, denounced and cursed any association with Jesus of Nazareth.

But at the Resurrection, the Angels tell Mary to make sure Peter knows. Why, because even though Peter could not forgive himself, Christ had already forgiven him. Peter was human, and subject to human frailties, and Christ knew the love and strength in Peter's heart. Peter could not live a life of regret for one bad decision.

This is the promise Christ gives to us. He does not expect us to live a life based on our bad decisions. Christ expects us to live a life based on the hope of the resurrection. All we need do is to ask for forgiveness. Christ offers us life and he calls out to his disciples, and you and me too.

Amen