FOURTH STATION
Peter Denies Jesus
V.Adoramus
te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R.Quia
per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
From the Gospel according to Mk 14,72
And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him: "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times". And he broke down and wept.
MEDITATION
The cock crows for a second time, and Peter's tears fall to the ground. What has happened to Cephas, the Rock? He has denied his Redeemer, not once, not twice, but three times. Just as his faith wavered when he tried to walk on water, once again Peter reveals his weakness. He had brashly promised that he would rather die than deny his Master. But in the end, a young servant girl suffices to make him ashamed of his friendship with Jesus. As soon as Jesus glances at Peter the Apostle recognizes his grievous error. Humbled, he cries and asks God for forgiveness. The lesson of Peter is a powerful one: that even those closest to Jesus will offend him through sin. The sound of the cock's crow will never be the same for the Prince of the Apostles: it will remind him for ever of his fear and frailty.
PRAYER
Lord, give us a humble and
contrite heart.
May we also learn to shed tears for our sins,
and return to your loving embrace
every time we have turned our backs on you.
Let us, like Peter, learn from our faults.
May we never take our faith for granted,
nor presume to be better than the others.
Help us to know ourselves as we really are,
weak, sinful, and in constant need
of your forgiveness.
To you, Jesus,
who gaze serenely upon your friend,
to you be praise and glory
with the Father and the Spirit
for ages unending.
R.Amen.
All:
Pater noster, qui es in cælis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo.
Quæ
mærebat et dolebat
pia mater, cum videbat
Nati pnas incliti.
Christ
above in torment hangs;
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying glorious Son.