4th Scriptural Station of the Cross

Jesus is Denied by Peter (Matthew 26:69-75)

Prepare your setting. Take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly. Set your timer.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Then pray: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Invite Jesus to visit with you. Tell Him of any concerns that are on your mind.

“Read” the image. Look from top to bottom, left and right. What strikes you? What people and objects do you notice? What symbols do you recognize? Ponder the message of the artist. Ponder what God is saying. I’ll share my thoughts as an example [in brackets], but your thoughts are what matter.

[I like the symbolism in this painting. Peter’s garment is yellow (traitor) and his cloak is muted blue (heaven; spirituality), also with streaks of yellow. How true! He had his eyes on heaven, but his faith wasn’t strong enough (yet) to stand up to the Roman or Temple authorities.

Two roosters are on the step and a third one off to the left, not readily seen. How often over the years have I heard that Gospel reading ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ Jesus knew what would happen. And by saying it, Peter had another opportunity to witness a miracle–that Jesus knew ahead of time what Peter would do.

Jesus knows Peter has denied HIm as He is marched away is his blood-red (marytr) colored garment. Jesus is looking at Peter, but Peter is not looking at Jesus. He isn’t just looking away; he’s turning his shoulder away from Jesus. We know from the Gospel that Peter is ashamed. He can’t face Jesus. It reminds me of situations in life when I needed people to look at me, to be on my side, to tell the truth.

Hmm, that’s interesting. Jesus’ halo is blue. I’ve never seen that before. I want to say it’s a mistake, that the paint color ran unintentionally. It just looks so odd to me. Maybe the artist is emphasizing Truth. Heaven’s divine knowledge. Jesus told Peter he would deny Him. Jesus is the Truth. Jesus knows the truth about me and my weaknesses, my faults.

There is green ivy on the otherwise barren branches off to the left of Peter. It’s a symbol of eternal life. That’s the reason for Jesus’ sacrifice, that we might have eternal life.

I also like how the soldiers and maids are oblivious to the event they are a part of, a scene that will change history and record them forever. They are going about their usual tasks with such nonchalance and laissez-faire, like nothing new or important is happening right under their noses.

Peter is warming himself, as are the soldiers, because the night air is chilly. Had he not been around the fire, the maids would not have seen him close enough to accuse him. Chance circumstances can cause monumental events to unfold. No wonder the nuns taught us about “the near occasion of sin”, being around events, places, and people who make it more likely that we will sin.

Peter is obviously in pain. He’s even clasping his hands together, not even reaching out with them. It’s as though he is closing in on himself. And I guess that’s exactly what was happening. I’m thinking two things are really bothering him. One would be the big picture: that what was happening to Jesus now was not what he thought would happen when he first followed Jesus. The second would be quite personal: how he is acting now compared to how he thought he would react in such a situation. It makes me think that a lot of us live with higher opinions of ourselves compared to what we really do when adversity hits us.]

Meditate Talk with God as you would a friend. Tell Him how the image made you feel–and why. Ponder. Question.

Pray Lord Jesus, help me be honest that I may speak the truth even when difficult. Add your own line or two if you want.

Contemplate. Now relax. Breathe deeply and exhale slowly. Close your eyes or gaze upon the image. Your work is done. God is working now. Lose yourself in the moment. Listen with your senses. Sights, sounds, emotions, thoughts and images that just pop into your head. Enjoy God’s presence. The timer will tell you when you need to end your contemplation and get back to your usual activities of the day.

Save. When the timer sounds, write something to keep in your heart until your next prayer session. Or just commit it to memory.

Thank Jesus for visiting. End with the Sign of the Cross. Amen.

Thank you for joining us for this meditation. I look forward to praying with you again at the next Station.