The Fourth Station ( scriptural): Jesus is Denied by Peter

Fourth Station: Jesus is Denied by 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.

Prayer:  Lord, grant us the gift of honesty that we may not fear to speak the truth even when difficult.

Meditation from Thomas a'Kempis:  Book 3, Chapter 30,

"3. But it is part of human nature to be deluded by the images of imagination, and the sign of a soul that is still weak that you so easily follow the suggestions of your enemy, the devil, who does not care whether his deceits are true or fake, or whether he trips you up with the love of things present or fear of things to come.


Therefore, do not be troubled or fearful (Jn 14:27). Have confidence in Me and trust in My mercy. When you think I am far away, I am often closest to you. When you think that almost all is lost, often a greater reward follows.


All is not lost just because things go contrary to your wishes. Do not judge according to your present feelings, and do not take any trouble so much to heart that you lose all hope of being delivered from it."

Thomas reminds us the Jesus comes back (from the dead!) and forgives Peter, then asks Peter to take care of His sheep... That's us!  Our meditation then is to look for that deliverance.

Thanks for praying along with me. Until next time, be imitators of Christ!

tim