Before the cock crows

As some of you know, the apostle Peter has always held a special place in my heart.  Today’s reflection will focus on that dark night, where his faith was shaken.

“I will give my life for you.”  In the upper room, Peter still didn’t understand what Jesus meant when he said that he was going to suffer, and soon Peter would see it with his own two eyes.  Jesus knew his faith was soon to be shaken, and said, “Tonight, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”

Olive tree; rock where Jesus prayed

Then they went from there, across the Kidron valley to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed and sweat dropped from him like blood, where the apostles fell asleep, and where Jesus was arrested.  Peter didn’t keep watch with Christ, and now he was watching helplessly while Jesus was arrested.

Saint Peter in Gallicantu (lit. “Cockcrow”)

So, they go back across the valley to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, which was near the upper room.  And there, Peter’s faith failed.  “I do not know the man.”  It was undeniable – even his Galilean accent gave him away.  And yet, he denied him, and when the cock crowed, he knew what he had done.

One thing I could have never realized if I weren’t standing there is that Peter, at this moment, had a choice.  From this property, it isn’t too far up to Calvary.  From here also, I first looked down into Gehenna (Ger Hinnom:  valley on the west side of ancient Jerusalem; symbol for hell), and also saw the Potter’s field, where Judas was headed to hang himself.  Peter was halfway between dying with Christ, which he swore he would do, and dying away from him.

 
Monastery in Gehenna, with Potter’s field inside property

However, he did not loose hope.  He could not bring himself to follow Christ after denying him, but he couldn’t forget his words earlier that night, “I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned back to me, strengthen your brethren.”

So he went back to the upper room with the rest of the disciples.  No wonder he was one of the two who ran to the tomb on Easter morning.