staying by Jesus side

A Benedictine commentator of the IXth Century wrote quite rightly: “Peter could not have denied the Saviour if he had stayed by His side”. The ancient writer does not say “if he had come back”, but, “if he had stayed by His side.” This time we understand. Indeed, Peter could have stayed by Jesus’ side, if he had not drawn his sword without orders to do so and, above all, if he had known how to watch and pray with the Saviour. He could then have accompanied Him to the end, confining himself to suffering in silence.

Peter, who might have stayed, could no longer return to Jesus’ side, and that is the tragedy of his misadventure. Having abandoned Him in the beginning he could only follow Jesus afterwards at a long distance. At a distance, now quickening his step so as not to lose sight of them, now slowing up so as not to attract attention, all the time, waiting for an opportune moment to rejoin Him. But however short the distance that separated him from his Master, that gap was still too great; between Jesus and Peter, who was following Him at a distance, there was unluckily room for three poor little temptations. And Jesus died without Peter rejoining Him