Peter weeps

Holy Week: Wednesday

Reading

Matthew 26.69-75

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the Galilean.’ But he denied it before all of them, saying, ‘I do not know what you are talking about.’ When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ Again he denied it with an oath, ‘I do not know the man.’ After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.’ Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know the man!’ At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: ‘Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.

Reflection

Peter is a coward! Jesus has predicted Peter’s denial of him when called to account. Peter now sees it come true and runs away weeping bitterly. Unlike Judas, he weeps openly. And, also unlike Judas, he has a chance to be redeemed later, as described in John Chapter 21. Peter becomes the leading disciple in the Acts of the Apostles, and particularly the one preaching the first sermon at Pentecost in Acts Chapter 2. Nonetheless, like Judas, his tears also come from love. They both loved their teacher, their friend, and their Lord. Both their hearts were broken during Jesus’ passion. Tears suggest the intensity and depth of the relationship.

Black Spirituality does not shy away from tears. Tears, whether bitter or joyful, are signs of love and devotion. Weeping together knits us closer to each other and into the heart of the God who wept and suffered for our sake.

Watch

Notice your relationship with your emotions, especially your own tears.

…and pray

for the strength to accept and express difficult emotions in healthy ways.

Copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2024.