Thanks to the Catholic commentator Mary Healy for pointing out in her fine commentary The Gospel of Mark that Mark mentions twice in chapter 14 that Peter was warming himself at the fire (54, 67). While Jesus was being interrogated, falsely accused, spit on and struck Peter was seeking after his own comfort and safety as he warmed himself by the fire. Isn't it true of all of us who claim to follow Christ? Instead of identifying with our crucified lord we tend to seek after our own comfort and safety. I heard of a prosperity-gospel preaching church in Africa that changed its name from Calvary to something else. According to them, the name Calvary is too negative.
According to ancient tradition Mark as a disciple of Peter wrote down his gospel based on what he heard Peter preach. This is well attested by Papias, Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus and Origen. If this is true then one could see in the writings of Mark the holy torment that Peter went through as he remembered in minute detail his failure that night when he denied Jesus. I could hear Peter say, "Can you imagine while my lord was being abused I was busy warming myself by the fire." I could see Peter shaking his head in regret as he holds back his tears. When we hurt the one we love, even once we have been forgiven, it never completely goes away. But it always comes back to haunt us. There lies the measure of true love. Peter who once boasted of his dedication to Jesus (Mark 14:29), remembered in all humility his failure.
Ash Wednesday is all about that type of remembrance and repentance; remembrance of how much we continue to fall short of the glory of God and how much we need to turn around to Jesus. 