I do not know this Man of whom you speak!

Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.  And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth."  But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying."  And he went on the porch, and a rooster crowed.  And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them."  But he denied it again.  And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."  Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!"  A second time the rooster crowed.  Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."  And when he thought about it, he wept.

- Mark 14:66-72

Yesterday we read that those who seized Jesus led Him away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.  But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.  And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.  Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.  For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.  Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.' "  But not even then did their testimony agree.  And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, "Do You answer nothing?  What is it these men testify against You?"  But He kept silent and answered nothing.  Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"  Jesus said, "I am.  And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."  Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?  You have heard the blasphemy!  What do you think?"  And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.  Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!"  And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.  And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth."  But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying."  And he went on the porch, and a rooster crowed.  And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them."  But he denied it again.  And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."  Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!"   My study bible comments on the fact that a girl is the first to test Peter:  it is an icon of the temptation of Adam by Eve (Genesis 3:6).  Our fallen state, it notes, is overcome in Christ when it is women who are the first to hear, believe, and proclaim the Resurrection (Luke 24:1-10).  We notice how Peter's fear escalates to the point where he began to curse and swear that he did not know Jesus.  This happens particularly after the servant girl identifies him as a Galilean, by his accent and dialect.

A second time the rooster crowed.  Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."  And when he thought about it, he wept.  Peter's fear was so strong that neither Christ's warning nor the first crowing of the rooster called him to repentance, but only after the second time the rooster crowed did he recall Christ's prophecy to him (see this reading).  In Luke's Gospel, it is Jesus' gaze, apparently from within the home of the high priest while Peter is outside in the courtyard, that calls him to awareness (Luke 22:60-62).  In his sudden consciousness of what had transpired, Peter wept.  St. Ambrose of Milan comments that nonetheless, "through tears, what cannot be defended can be purged, for tears wash away the offense which is shameful to confess out loud."

Once again, the Gospels give us a humiliating, cowardly moment in the life of one of the disciples.  And this isn't just any disciple; it is Peter, their ostensible leader and the one who speaks so often for all of the twelve.  And yet this story appears for each of us, and is present in all four Gospels.  What does it mean that the Church includes this in its life for all the faithful?  We don't get a sugar-coated story, meant only to please our ears nor simply to flatter the images of those who are the founders and pillars of the Church.  Peter got his very name from Christ, who pronounces him Cephas, (in Aramaic), or Peter, from the Greek petros, meaning stone - see John 1:42.  In Matthew's Gospel, it is Peter's confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ which prompts Jesus to pronounce that "on this rock I will build my Church" (see Matthew 16:15-19).  From the traditional Orthodox perspective, this pronunciation applies to the faith that Jesus is the Christ, and Peter speaks for all the disciples.  But nevertheless, it remains Peter who did so.  So this image of Peter the coward, the one who is afraid to tell the servant girl he was a follower of Christ, becomes something quite contradictory to the Peter that we know as leader and spokesman, and who would go on to become the powerful apostle and pillar of the Church.  Let us consider why this story is here, for all of us.  It is so important and crucial to our faith to understand that our faith is all about a wholistic journey of the self, toward an identity and meaning that strengthens us and helps us to grow as human beings.  It is within that realm of the faith of Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ in which we are able to participate in His life through grace -- a synergistic realm of God and human beings which works through faith and grace.  This Peter who denies Christ three times after swearing he was willing to die with Him is the same Peter whom tradition tells us requested to be martyred upside down, as he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner in which Jesus was, an act of courage and humility that goes beyond normal understanding.  It is this same impulsive Peter who blurts out something rather insensible at the Transfiguration, and who earlier swore he would die with Jesus before denying Him, and yet who spoke first to confess that Jesus was the Christ.  Our faith gives us what it is to be all too human, with all our failings and disappointments -- even this scene in today's reading which must have been simply humiliating for Peter to recall -- and couches it within the story of what it is to struggle with faith and come to victory.  Peter's salvation from this moment comes when he rejoins the apostles and returns to Christ, still one of the twelve -- a sign of repentance and that his tears are cleansing and life-changing.  We may view this in contrast with the remorse or regret of Judas (as opposed to repentance, true change in humility), which does not lead to his return to the apostles nor to his salvation (see Matthew 27:3-5).  Our faith is not a process of simple reward and punishment, but works through the positive encouragement of repentance, a return to Christ for resurrection and renewal after our failures.   This is why humility remains the keystone and foundation of all virtue, because we must see ourselves in process of an approach to Christ, a sense of trial and error, always learning, getting back upon that road, facing ourselves and our failures and putting them properly into perspective through our participation in the Cross, in both carrying our own cross and living with Him in the Resurrection.  This is our journey!  Let us be grateful for its truth in all things, even our most shameful moments, which may be shared with Him for His direction and faith.  For our God is a God of love.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another

 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.  If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately.  Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer.  You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you cannot come,' so now I say to you.  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?"  Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward."  Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now?  I will lay down my life for Your sake."  Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake?  Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times."

- John 13:31-38

In our recent readings, it is the Passover feast, and Jesus has been in the temple.  Yesterday we read that although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:  "Lord, who has believed our report?  And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?"  Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:  "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them."  These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.  Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.   Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me.  And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.  I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.  And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.  He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.  For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.  And I know that His command is everlasting life.  Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."

So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.  If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately.  Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer.  You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you cannot come,' so now I say to you."   As it is Holy Week in the West (for the Orthodox and other Eastern Churches, Holy Week is next week), the lectionary skips various passages.  I have chosen for today to include the earlier verses 13:31-35 (the lectionary includes only vv. 36-38).  What has happened in the verses between yesterday's reading and today's is found in 13:1-30, which includes the washing of the feet of the disciples and also the identification of Judas as Jesus' betrayer.   The present reading is set at the Passover Supper of Jesus and His disciples, known as the Last Supper.  My study bible comments that the Feast of Passover commemorated God's passing over the Israelites when God killed the firstborn of the Egyptians (Exodus 12).  It is also linked with Israel's crossing over the Red Sea (Exodus 14) to escape from slavery to freedom.  In Christ, it notes, we escape death and pass over from this world, which is enslaved to sin, and into the Kingdom of God.   After Judas had gone out from the Passover Supper to betray Christ, the Lord presents the final teachings of His earthly ministry.  This is frequently called the "Farewell Discourse."  The discourse continues through chapters 14-17, and includes Jesus' High Priestly Prayer (chapter 17).  Here Jesus calls his death "glorification."   My study bible comments that He does not fear death, and He accepts it willingly.   It notes that the Father and the Son are glorified through the death of Christ, because His death destroys all powers of darkness.  Jesus references His dialogue with the leadership in the temple (specifically, 8:21; see this reading).

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."   My study bible notes that while many religions and philosophies teach people to love one another, Christ's new commandment does something more.  It adds the measure that is asked of our love; we have Christ as our example.  This depth of love for one another is the sign of His disciples, how all will know that they are of such.

Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?"  Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward."  Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now?  I will lay down my life for Your sake."  Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake?  Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times." Amidst the new and final commandment, there are our own shortcomings, our failed resolutions, and our abiding need to learn to rely on Christ and the strength that is not of ourselves.   Jesus predicts Peter's betrayal, but also, my study bible notes, He prophecies the martyrdom of Simon Peter as well, which Peter will suffer for the sake of Christ by being crucified upside down in Rome in about AD 67 (see 21:18-19).  Thus, Peter will also serve Christ's new command to "love one another as I have loved you."

Spiritual battle, for enemies -- study bible comment

What is a spiritual battle?  This may seem like a strange question to ask at this time, as we prepare for Easter, but in effect Good Friday is the right time to ask this question (for the Eastern Orthodox, that is next week).  Jesus prepares the disciples with His Farewell Discourse, giving them a new command that would seem to have nothing at all to do with a spiritual battle.  Jesus tells the disciples, and all those who will follow in the future, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  We are to be characterized by love for one another.  How often do we fall short of that commandment, Christ's "new" commandment?  But, in effect, Christ will not only declare this commandment, He will also live it.  He will go to His death in enacting His love for His friends.  We are given Simon Peter's declaration to Jesus, "I will lay down my life for Your sake."  And then there is Jesus' response to him: "Will you lay down your life for My sake?  Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times."  The great contradiction between the love that Jesus professes is a new commandment for all of them, and the prophecy of Peter's denial (despite his declaration that he would lay down his life for Christ's sake) give us a juxtaposition of our souls and hearts, and the constant battle that we wage to move forward into our faith.  My study bible also says that Christ's commandment is proven out by the measure of His love, that not only did He lay down His life for His friends, but even those who are His enemies.  That is, not for their error or their sin, but for their salvation.  In the Revelation, Christ says, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent" (Revelation 3:19).  Everything we do in the context of our faith, and in the love that Jesus commands us to practice, is for the salvation of the whole world.  It is not so that evil triumphs, or so that we support evil or heinous behavior.   We do not pray for others so that they will continue to abuse us, or practice unloving behavior.  But a spiritual battle exists in the world for the salvation of all, for the triumph of the Light.  May our Easter which awaits us triumph in that light, that whatever darkness has been exposed through our Lent make way for a greater and deeper understanding, a more perfect love, and a true reconciliation in the glory of Christ our God and our hope.

Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times

Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth." But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying." And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them." But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!" A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept.

- Mark 14:66-72

Yesterday's reading taught us about Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin. The witnesses contradicted one another in their testimony, which referred to Jesus' statement about rebuilding the temple. Jesus would not answer any of the false accusations. Finally, the high priest asked Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus replied to this question: "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." The high priest tore his clothes, and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" They condemned Jesus to death. He was then blindfolded, and spat upon, and told to "Prophesy!" as the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth." But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying." And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. A sad story follows the events at Jesus' trial. Peter, we know, has followed Him. Peter has sworn allegiance. And yet, the question of a servant girl is enough to intimidate him. My study bible teaches, "Of the remaining faithful disciples, Peter and John alone have the courage to follow Jesus. Peter denies the Lord, but at least he is there to do so. His intentions are commendable, but his strength fails."

And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them." But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!" A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." Peter realizes the true power of Jesus' prophesy of what will happen. He had sworn the greatest allegiance, that he would be willing to die before betraying Christ. But Jesus knows Peter better than Peter knows himself. It is an illustrative story about what happens when we are living off of our emotions alone, and the heat of a moment when we are threatened. Of ourselves, our own strength is not something we can always rely on. We need faith to help us -- assisted by the One who knows us best!

And when he thought about it, he wept. The realization and recognition comes after the fact. Weeping and repentance ("change of mind" in the Greek) are good if they help us to go forward and to learn, a kind of cleansing. My study bible reminds us, "All of us fail; Peter bursts into tears of repentance over his denial." And we know that these tears are healthy: Peter will return to the disciples and will be restored by Christ.

Peter, we know, will be forgiven and restored by Christ. Of course, he will go on to become a great leader of the apostles and the early Church, a powerful orator -- and eventually will die a death with Christ in crucifixion, of tremendous courage and faith. (Tradition tells us that Peter will request to be crucified upside-down, so as not to be seen as equal to his Master.) And there is a powerful story here which in some ways follows the judicial language we encounter in Christ's life and work, as we were reminded in yesterday's reading. Peter's repentance is an acknowledgement of error, but even more importantly it is a springboard to restoration. He returns to the apostles, and is restored by Christ. It teaches us about this kingdom that is seeking to break into the world: it is one of love. The false kingdom with its false witnesses who contradict one another, its oppressive effects in the world of evil in all the stories of demonic possession in the Gospels, its prince who is called the "father of lies," relies on harsh and torturous methods for its control. In the Greek, we find words used in Jesus' healings of the victims of this false kingdom that are the same as those for torture and beating (as in extracting a confession). But Jesus' kingdom of truth (as in the way, the truth and the life) is one which works on an entirely different principle. Its aim is restoration to our places with God, and our image in God. It is a timeless perspective that sees what we can be, and welcomes us to that place as we "change our minds." In love, it invites us to be what we truly can be in God's sight, with our cooperation. Repentance is for restoration and justice and truth -- torture and oppression are the tools of the devils. In fact, the word for "devil" in the Greek means one who falsely accuses, a slanderer, one who falsely condemns in order to destroy. So this episode of Peter's failing is a great one for our instruction in the power of faith to restore and to build strength, and our need for the One who accompanies us and will be sent, the Paraclete, the Comforter, the Friend who comes when we call. Remember to what and to Whom you pray when you ask for strength! It is a whole kingdom of love that teaches us who we are, and wants us back in our place within it. Always remember what repentance is for!