 Phase protection of interior integer resonances

In a high-orbital eccentricity interior $k:1$ mean-motion resonance, the resonant argument $\varphi =k{\lambda }_p-\lambda -(k-1)\varpi$ places successive rotating-frame apocentres at $\pi -[\varphi +(2j+1)\pi ]/k$. Avoiding astronomical conjunction at these slow outer excursions favors $\varphi =0$ for $k=2$ and $\varphi =\pi$ for $k=3$. This geometrical phase protection suggests stable resonant-argument libration centres; actual dynamical stability requires the resonant perturbation problem.