MATTHEW 26:31-35
PETER’S DENIAL FORETOLD
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – Matthew 26:31–35
31 Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed.’
32 But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.”
33 Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.”
34 Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”
35 Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise.
Historical and Jewish Context
Jesus and His disciples were leaving the upper room after the Last Supper, crossing the Kidron Valley toward the Mount of Olives. The prophecy Jesus quotes—Zechariah 13:7—spoke of God’s shepherd being struck and the flock scattered. In applying it to Himself, Jesus revealed that He was the prophesied Shepherd-Messiah whose suffering would lead to the purification and restoration of His people. The disciples’ confidence in their own strength reflected the cultural value of loyalty and honor in Jewish society, yet it also revealed their misunderstanding of spiritual weakness. Peter’s bold declaration showed sincere love, but human pride blinded him to his vulnerability in the face of fear and persecution.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this passage illustrates both the fragility of human faith and the steadfast mercy of Christ. Jesus, foreseeing the disciples’ fall, does not condemn them; rather, He assures them of His resurrection and His reunion with them in Galilee—a sign of forgiveness and mission renewal. Peter’s denial serves as a lesson in humility for all believers. His failure, later healed by repentance and grace, becomes a foundation of hope for sinners. The prophecy fulfills the divine plan of salvation: even the scattering of the disciples serves to manifest the Shepherd’s redemptive love. The Church sees in Peter’s weakness a reflection of the Church’s own journey—frail yet upheld by divine mercy.
Parallels in Scripture
Zechariah 13:7: “Strike the shepherd, that the sheep may be scattered.”
Luke 22:31–34: Jesus warns Peter that Satan has demanded to sift him like wheat.
John 13:36–38: Peter insists on following Jesus even to death.
Mark 14:27–31: A parallel account emphasizing the disciples’ unanimous declarations of loyalty.
John 21:15–19: Jesus restores Peter after the Resurrection, reaffirming his pastoral mission.
Key Terms
Strike the shepherd: A prophetic reference to the suffering of the Messiah, which leads to the purification and gathering of His flock.
Faith shaken: Represents the testing of belief during trials, revealing human frailty.
Before the cock crows: A time marker emphasizing the immediacy and certainty of Peter’s denial.
Galilee: The region symbolizing new beginnings, where Jesus will re-gather and recommission His disciples.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This passage is proclaimed during Holy Week, especially on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, as the Church reflects on human weakness and divine fidelity. Peter’s denial and subsequent repentance mirror the believer’s own need for conversion and reconciliation. The mention of Galilee reminds the faithful that resurrection always follows repentance, and that Christ restores what sin has broken.
Conclusion
Peter’s confident promise and subsequent denial reveal the tension between human zeal and human frailty. Jesus’ prophecy demonstrates both His divine foreknowledge and His boundless mercy. The Lord’s love remains constant even when His followers falter. The promise of Galilee stands as a symbol of hope—failure is not the end for those who return to the risen Christ.
Reflection
Am I too confident in my own strength, forgetting my dependence on God’s grace? Like Peter, I may falter under fear or pressure, yet Jesus always calls me back to Himself. Faith matures not through pride but through humility, forgiveness, and perseverance.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You foretold Peter’s denial yet never withdrew Your love. Strengthen my faith when it is tested and guard me from the pride that leads to downfall. When I fail, lift me up by Your mercy and lead me once more to Galilee—to the place of new beginnings in Your grace. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
The passage of Matthew 26:31–35 unveils one of the most human and heartfelt moments in the Gospel narrative—Jesus’ foretelling of Peter’s denial. As He and His disciples make their way from the Upper Room toward the Mount of Olives, the tone shifts from the sacred peace of the Last Supper to the somber reality of impending betrayal and weakness. Jesus, fully aware of the suffering to come, reveals that all His disciples will abandon Him that very night. Quoting Zechariah 13:7, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered,” He connects the coming events to God’s divine plan. Yet even in this prophecy of failure, Jesus offers hope: after His resurrection, He promises to go before them to Galilee. His foreknowledge of their weakness is matched by His assurance of restoration, showing that divine love remains steadfast even when human loyalty falters.
Peter, confident and impulsive, responds with passionate devotion, declaring that even if all others fall away, he never will. His boldness expresses genuine love but also human pride—the tendency to trust one’s own strength rather than God’s grace. Jesus, with both tenderness and truth, reveals that before the rooster crows, Peter will deny Him three times. This prophecy, though painful, becomes a mirror for every disciple’s journey: the struggle between faith and fear, loyalty and weakness. In this scene, the Gospel reveals not only human frailty but divine mercy. Jesus does not reject His failing followers but prepares them to understand the depth of His forgiveness—a forgiveness that will later transform Peter’s tears of denial into the courage of martyrdom.
Matthew 26:31 “Then Jesus said to them, ‘This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed.’”
As Jesus and His disciples leave the Upper Room and walk toward the Mount of Olives, He turns to them with a solemn prophecy. The peace of the Last Supper gives way to the sorrowful foretelling of desertion. Jesus quotes Zechariah 13:7—“I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered”—linking His impending Passion to the divine plan revealed in Scripture. His suffering is not accidental nor merely the work of human malice; it is the fulfillment of God’s salvific will. The “shepherd” represents Jesus, the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, while the “flock” refers to His disciples, whose faith will waver under the weight of fear and confusion. Even as He predicts their failure, Jesus speaks not with condemnation but with compassionate foreknowledge, preparing them for restoration after the Resurrection.
Historical and Jewish Context
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the image of the shepherd symbolizes leadership, care, and covenantal responsibility. Israel’s kings and priests were often called shepherds of God’s people, yet they frequently failed in faithfulness. Zechariah’s prophecy foretold a time when the true shepherd would be struck, causing the scattering of the flock—but also pointing to a future purification and renewal. By citing this passage, Jesus identifies Himself as the ultimate Shepherd—both the suffering servant and the divine leader whose wounding brings salvation to His people. The scattering of the disciples fulfills the prophecy yet also anticipates their gathering again after the Resurrection, when the Shepherd will once more call His flock together in Galilee.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse reveals both the fragility of human faith and the steadfastness of divine love. Jesus’ words expose the limits of human courage when grace is absent. The disciples’ scattering represents the universal human tendency to flee from the cross—to abandon faith in the face of suffering. Yet Christ’s foretelling is not meant to condemn but to heal. His Passion will not end with dispersion but with reconciliation. The Good Shepherd allows Himself to be struck so that His sheep may be gathered again through mercy. In this, we see the mystery of redemption: God transforms human failure into the occasion for divine grace. As the Catechism teaches, “By His obedience unto death, Christ has brought about the new covenant, in which the flock once lost is brought back to the Shepherd and Guardian of souls” (CCC 606–607).
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse is read during Holy Week, especially on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, when the Church meditates on the weakness of human faith in contrast to Christ’s unwavering obedience. It reminds the faithful that even when fear and failure seem to prevail, the Shepherd never ceases to seek His flock. Every Eucharistic celebration becomes a moment of gathering—Christ calling back His scattered people into communion through His sacrificial love.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:31 unveils both prophecy and promise. Jesus, the Shepherd, accepts the blow destined for Him, not as defeat but as fulfillment of divine mercy. The scattering of the flock, though painful, is temporary; the same voice that foretells their fall will later call them back to life and mission. This verse stands as a mirror of human frailty and a testimony to divine faithfulness—the Shepherd who is struck so that the sheep may one day be restored.
Reflection
Do I stand firm in faith when I face trials, or do fear and doubt scatter me from Christ?
Do I trust that the Shepherd’s love will always gather me back, no matter how far I wander?
How can I strengthen my faith so that I remain near the Lord in times of testing?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd who gave Your life for Your sheep. Though my faith is often weak, You never abandon me. Strengthen my heart when fear and confusion arise, and keep me close to You even in the darkness of trial. Gather me always under Your care, and make me steadfast in love and faith until the day I share fully in Your resurrection. Amen.
Matthew 26:32 “But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.”
Immediately after predicting His disciples’ failure, Jesus offers a promise of hope and restoration. He does not end His words with scattering and loss but with reunion and resurrection. “After I have been raised up” reveals His absolute certainty in the victory that will follow the cross. The verb “go before you” (proaxō) carries the image of a shepherd leading his flock—a continuation of the prophecy from the previous verse. Even though the sheep will scatter, the Shepherd will rise and once again guide them. Galilee, the place where Jesus first called His disciples, now becomes the symbol of renewal and mission. It is there, far from the holy city that rejected Him, that the risen Lord will gather His followers to begin the new evangelization of the world.
Historical and Jewish Context
In the context of first-century Judaism, Galilee represented the northern region of Israel—often looked down upon by the religious elite of Jerusalem. Yet it was precisely there that Jesus began His ministry, calling humble fishermen and outcasts to follow Him. By promising to “go before you to Galilee,” Jesus reverses human expectations: divine glory will not begin in the temple or palace but among the simple and faithful. After His resurrection, the angel at the tomb repeats these same words to the women (Matthew 28:7), confirming that God’s plan has not changed despite human failure. The mention of Galilee also fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:1–2). Thus, Galilee becomes the place where darkness turns to light, despair turns to hope, and failure turns to mission.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse is a beautiful expression of divine mercy. Even before the disciples fail, Jesus assures them of forgiveness and renewal. His leadership does not end with the cross but continues through His risen presence in the Church. The promise, “I shall go before you,” prefigures the Church’s life under Christ the Head, who always goes before His people in glory and grace. The Catechism explains: “The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ… it confirms all He did and taught” (CCC 638). The risen Lord leads His followers still—through the sacraments, through the Word, and through the mission entrusted to His Church. Every act of forgiveness, every moment of restored faith, is a fulfillment of this verse.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse is echoed in the Easter liturgy, especially during the Easter Vigil and Resurrection Sunday, when the Church proclaims the message of the empty tomb: “He has gone before you to Galilee.” In every Eucharist, the Risen Christ continues to “go before” His people, leading them from sin to grace, from fear to faith. The altar becomes our Galilee—a place where we encounter the living Lord and are sent forth to proclaim His victory.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:32 shines as a beam of light amid the approaching darkness. Even as Jesus predicts betrayal, denial, and scattering, He immediately offers the promise of resurrection and reunion. His love does not end with human weakness; it transforms it. Galilee becomes the meeting place between failure and grace, between human fragility and divine faithfulness. In every age, Jesus continues to “go before” His disciples, calling them to follow Him into renewed life, mission, and hope.
Reflection
Do I believe that Christ goes before me, even when I falter in faith or fail in love?
When I fall, do I trust in the promise of resurrection and renewal?
Where is my “Galilee”—the place where Christ calls me again to follow Him with new faith?
Prayer
Risen Lord, You go before me always, even when I stumble in weakness. Thank You for the promise of new beginnings after failure. Lead me, like the disciples, back to the Galilee of my heart, where Your love first called me. Renew my courage to follow You faithfully, trusting that every fall can become a step toward resurrection. Amen.
Matthew 26:33 “Peter said to him in reply, ‘Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.’”
In this verse, Peter speaks with bold conviction, expressing his unwavering devotion to Jesus. His declaration reflects both deep love and human overconfidence. Having witnessed Christ’s miracles, walked on water, and confessed Him as the Messiah, Peter cannot imagine himself abandoning the Lord. Yet his self-assurance blinds him to the weakness that Jesus has already foretold. In contrast to Jesus’ calm awareness of the coming trial, Peter responds with emotion and pride, insisting on his strength while failing to grasp the necessity of grace. His words, “Though all may fall away, I will never,” subtly separate him from the others, as though his faith were stronger or purer. This moment captures the tragic irony of the human heart: Peter’s sincerity is real, but his trust still rests in himself rather than in divine help.
Historical and Jewish Context
In the ancient world, loyalty to one’s teacher was considered a sacred duty, especially within Jewish rabbinic tradition. Disciples were expected to stand by their master even in danger or disgrace. Peter’s statement, therefore, springs from a culturally ingrained sense of honor and fidelity. Yet the Gospel writers emphasize that such declarations of loyalty, when rooted in pride rather than humility, are destined to fail. In Jewish understanding, “to have faith shaken” (literally to be scandalized) means to stumble in trust—to be tripped up by fear, confusion, or disappointment. For Peter, this stumbling will come not from lack of love, but from overconfidence and fear of suffering. His passionate words foreshadow the painful lesson he will soon learn in the courtyard: that true discipleship depends not on one’s resolve, but on God’s sustaining grace.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic viewpoint, this verse illustrates the tension between human zeal and divine grace. Peter’s sincerity mirrors the heart of every believer who loves Christ deeply yet underestimates the weakness of human nature. The Catechism reminds us that “man, tempted by the devil, lets his trust in his Creator die in his heart” (CCC 397). Peter’s failure will not disqualify him but purify him. Through his coming fall and repentance, he will learn humility—the foundation of all holiness. His journey anticipates the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where even the strongest are reminded that mercy, not merit, sustains the soul. After the Resurrection, Christ will restore Peter not through judgment, but through love, asking three times, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:15–17). Thus, Peter’s failure becomes his formation—the transformation of pride into pastoral compassion.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse often appears in Holy Week reflections, especially on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, as the Church recalls the frailty of human fidelity. It serves as a mirror for all believers who profess love for Christ yet sometimes fail under pressure. In the liturgy, Peter’s zeal is not condemned but purified—his story reminds the faithful that true discipleship is forged not by self-assurance but by grace received through prayer, repentance, and perseverance.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:33 reveals both the strength and fragility of love. Peter’s devotion to Jesus is real and heartfelt, yet human confidence without divine dependence leads to failure. His words warn against spiritual pride while offering comfort to all who struggle with weakness. Peter’s fall will teach him—and all disciples—that God’s strength is made perfect in human frailty. What begins as pride will end in redemption, as the same Peter who denied Christ will later die proclaiming His name.
Reflection
Do I rely on my own strength in following Christ, or do I trust in His grace?
Have I ever, like Peter, promised faithfulness but faltered when tested?
How can I grow in humility and dependence on God’s mercy each day?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You know the depths of my heart better than I do. Like Peter, I desire to follow You faithfully, yet I am weak without Your grace. Keep me from the pride that blinds and give me the humility that trusts completely in You. When I stumble, lift me by Your mercy, and make my love steadfast through the power of Your Spirit. Amen.
Matthew 26:34 “Jesus said to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’”
Jesus responds to Peter’s confident declaration with a solemn prophecy that pierces the illusion of self-reliance. The phrase “Amen, I say to you” gives divine certainty to His words—it is not a possibility but a truth that will soon unfold. “This very night” highlights how near the testing is, emphasizing the swiftness of Peter’s fall. Despite Peter’s love and loyalty, fear will overtake him before dawn. To “deny” (arneomai in Greek) means more than a simple refusal; it implies disowning, renouncing association, or rejecting relationship. By predicting this threefold denial, Jesus reveals both His divine foreknowledge and His compassionate realism—He knows Peter’s weakness but does not withdraw His love. The mention of the “cock crowing” gives a vivid, prophetic marker of time, one that will later become a call to repentance when Peter remembers these very words and weeps bitterly (Matthew 26:75).
Historical and Jewish Context
In the first century, the “cockcrow” referred to the Roman division of the night watch, roughly between midnight and 3 a.m. It symbolized the approaching dawn and, metaphorically, the end of darkness. Within the Jewish understanding, the number three held symbolic meaning—fullness or completeness—indicating the totality of Peter’s denial. Jesus’ prophecy thus captures not only the event but its spiritual depth: Peter will completely disown Him before light returns, embodying humanity’s tendency to fall into fear and darkness before the dawn of redemption. Yet this same prophecy foreshadows grace. Just as night gives way to morning, Peter’s denial will give way to repentance and renewal. The early Church Fathers often saw in the rooster’s crow a symbol of conscience awakening, calling believers from the darkness of sin to the light of grace.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse reveals the tension between divine omniscience and human frailty. Jesus’ prophecy is not meant to condemn but to prepare Peter for conversion. God’s foreknowledge of sin never negates free will; rather, it demonstrates His mercy that anticipates our repentance. Peter’s denial, while tragic, becomes a moment of transformation—proof that even in failure, grace abounds. The Catechism teaches that Christ “calls to conversion those who sin against Him, even when they deny Him” (CCC 1428). The rooster’s crow becomes an audible symbol of conscience stirred by grace—the moment when divine mercy breaks through human guilt. Peter’s tears, born from this prophecy’s fulfillment, foreshadow the healing power of confession and repentance that continue in the Church today.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse resonates deeply during Holy Week, especially on Good Friday, when the Church meditates on the frailty of human fidelity and the constancy of divine mercy. Peter’s denial becomes every disciple’s story—when fear silences faith or when pride collapses under trial. Yet the prophecy also anticipates Easter dawn, when Christ’s forgiveness restores the fallen. In every Eucharist and every confession, the “cock crow” still echoes—calling believers to rise from sin and follow the Lord once more.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:34 reminds us that Christ’s knowledge of our weakness never diminishes His love. He sees our denials before they happen, yet still calls us His own. Peter’s fall reveals not the failure of love, but love’s testing and purification. What Jesus foretells in sorrow, He later fulfills in mercy—transforming Peter’s tears into courage and his denial into pastoral leadership. The cock’s crow announces not only human failure but divine faithfulness—the dawn of forgiveness that follows the darkest night.
Reflection
Do I trust that Jesus still loves me even when I fail Him?
How can I learn humility from Peter, whose fall became the path to sanctity?
When I hear the “cock crow” of conscience, do I respond with repentance or pride?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You knew Peter’s weakness and still called him Your rock. You know my heart, with its fears and failures, and yet You do not turn away. When I fall, let Your mercy awaken me like the rooster’s cry, calling me back to love and truth. Strengthen me with Your grace, that my faith may never fail and that I may rise each time I stumble, following You in humble fidelity. Amen.
Matthew 26:35 “Peter said to him, ‘Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.’ And all the disciples spoke likewise.”
Peter’s passionate response reveals the depth of his devotion and his misunderstanding of human weakness. Having just heard Jesus’ solemn prediction of his denial, Peter intensifies his claim, pledging absolute loyalty even unto death. His words, “I will not deny you,” echo the human desire to prove one’s love through strength and courage. Yet, beneath this zeal lies a lack of humility—the failure to recognize the necessity of divine grace. Peter’s statement is sincere but self-reliant; it springs from affection without awareness of the frailty of the human heart. The addition that “all the disciples spoke likewise” expands this tension beyond Peter alone. Each of them, motivated by love yet blinded by pride, overestimates his faith. Together they represent all humanity: resolved to be faithful yet prone to fall when trial arrives.
Historical and Jewish Context
In the Jewish tradition, to “die with” one’s teacher was considered the highest form of discipleship. Peter and the others likely believed they were prepared for martyrdom in defense of their Master. However, their understanding of Jesus’ mission was still incomplete—they expected a political Messiah, not a suffering Servant. When the reality of the cross unfolded, their courage faltered. Peter’s insistence foreshadows the contrast between words and actions that will soon be exposed in Gethsemane, where instead of dying with Christ, they will flee. In ancient rhetoric, repetition was a sign of conviction; Peter’s emphatic promise and the disciples’ echoing chorus highlight the sincerity of their love but also the tragic blindness of their hearts.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic theological view, this verse reflects the essential truth that good intentions are insufficient without grace. The Church Fathers often saw in Peter’s boldness a reflection of human presumption—the attempt to rely on one’s will rather than God’s strength. St. Augustine writes, “Peter trusted in himself, and he failed; he wept because he learned where to place his trust.” The Catechism teaches that humility is the foundation of prayer and discipleship, for “we do not know how to pray as we ought” (CCC 2559). Peter’s fall becomes a lesson in grace: his later restoration by the Risen Christ (John 21:15–17) will reveal that true fidelity is born not of pride, but of mercy received. His journey from boasting to repentance to martyrdom mirrors the transformation every Christian undergoes—learning that love grows not through strength but through surrender to God’s will.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse is remembered during Holy Week, especially on Holy Thursday, when the Church reflects on the contrast between human fidelity professed and human weakness revealed. It prepares the faithful for the Passion narrative, reminding us that only through the grace of the Cross can loyalty endure. In every Eucharist, believers echo Peter’s words—promising love and faithfulness—yet are invited to rely not on their strength but on Christ’s abiding presence in the sacrament.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:35 exposes the tension between love’s sincerity and human limitation. Peter and the disciples truly love Jesus, but their devotion is untested and unpurified. Their bold promises will soon give way to fear, showing that courage without grace cannot endure. Yet Jesus’ love remains constant—He foresees their fall and already prepares their restoration. Their failure becomes the seed of faith matured by mercy. True discipleship, as Peter will later learn, is not proven by declarations but by steadfast love reborn through repentance and grace.
Reflection
Do I sometimes trust in my own strength rather than in God’s grace to remain faithful?
Have I ever promised God something in zeal and failed to keep it when tested?
How can I grow in humility so that my love for Christ endures through trials?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You know how weak my resolve can be, even when my heart longs to be faithful. Teach me the humility that trusts in Your grace more than my promises. When fear and failure test my love, hold me fast in Your mercy. May my heart, like Peter’s, be renewed by repentance and strengthened by Your Spirit, so that my life may bear witness to Your unfailing love. Amen.
CONCLUSION
Matthew 26:31–35 offers a profound reflection on the frailty of human faith and the steadfast mercy of Christ. Jesus, fully aware of His disciples’ coming failure, speaks not to condemn but to prepare them for conversion. His prophecy of their scattering fulfills the Scriptures, yet it is immediately followed by the promise of reunion in Galilee—an assurance that failure will not be final. Peter’s passionate declarations of loyalty and the disciples’ echoing vows expose the human desire to remain faithful, but also the blindness that comes from self-reliance. Their confidence in themselves contrasts sharply with Jesus’ serene acceptance of the Father’s will. This tension between human weakness and divine faithfulness runs through the Passion narrative: even when the sheep flee, the Shepherd continues to lead, love, and restore.
Through this passage, the Church is reminded that discipleship is not founded on personal strength but on grace received in humility. Peter’s fall, though painful, becomes redemptive; it teaches that authentic faith matures through repentance and divine mercy. Every believer, like Peter, must face moments when self-confidence collapses under trial, only to discover the unfailing tenderness of Christ who calls the fallen back to Himself. The prophecy, the denial, and the tears that follow reveal that love purified by mercy is stronger than pride. Thus, what begins as a story of failure becomes a message of hope—Christ’s love is greater than our weakness, and His forgiveness restores what fear destroys.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You knew the weakness of Your disciples and yet never ceased to love them. When I, like Peter, speak boldly but fall in fear, remind me of Your mercy that never fails. Strengthen my faith when it trembles and humble my heart when it grows proud. Gather me again, Good Shepherd, whenever I stray, and lead me to the Galilee of renewed faith and love. Amen.