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. (Mt. 26:75)
Peter will not be mentioned again in Matthew’s Gospel. He is last seen weeping.
Earlier in the Gospel Jesus said, “Whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” But be careful not to isolate statements like that and stand them alone. Jesus also talked about God’s mercy toward sinners.
When the Pharisee complained that Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus responded: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick dol . . .I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
So it is with Peter. He had clearly “denied Jesus before others,” but when he realized what he had done, he repents, trusting in the Lord’s forgiveness.
The story of Peter’s denials reminds us that we are all vulnerable to sin – more than we may know. It also encourages us. Peter’s tears of repentance stand in sharp contrast to the despair of Judas, which Matthew will describe in a few verses.
Given the choice between repentance and despair, always choose repentance.
Forgiveness is there for the asking? Have you gone to the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Lent?
Spend some quiet time with the Lord.
