Station Four: Jesus is Denied by Peter
Art
Nicolas Tournier, The Denial of St. Peter
Matthew 26: 69-75
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about!" As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazorean." Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man!" A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away." At that he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly.
Reflection
Bernadette Naro | Campus Minister, Marist School
Peter has always been my favorite apostle. Often, when we think of Peter we envision him as the rock, and the first Pope, or we picture the glory of St. Peter’s Basilica. Yet, what I appreciate most about Peter is how often in the Gospels he totally misses the mark. Peter’s denial of Jesus is the most obvious example, but throughout scripture we hear about him putting his foot in his mouth, and shouting out the wrong thing at the wrong time. Even being one of Jesus’ closest followers, Peter still made mistakes and sometimes got it wrong. And yet, God chose Peter anyway. How will God use you, even with your imperfections?