*Sacred Scripture* St. Peter’s Sorrow – Tissot

This artwork by James Tissot shows the terrible grief of Saint Peter after his betrayal of Jesus, as the apostle walks away from the concerned holy women to weep alone.

Lk 22:54-65

Peter’s Denial of Jesus.

54ⁱ After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance.^j

55They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter sat down with them.

56When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, “This man too was with him.”

57But he denied it saying, “Woman, I do not know him.”

58A short while later someone else saw him and said, “You too are one of them”; but Peter answered, “My friend, I am not.”

59About an hour later, still another insisted, “Assuredly, this man too was with him, for he also is a Galilean.”

60But Peter said, “My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.” Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed,

61and the Lord turned and looked at Peter;^* and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.”^k

62He went out and began to weep bitterly.

63^l The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him.

64They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?”

65And they reviled him in saying many other things against him.

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/22

What is the meaning of weeping bitterly?

bitterly adverb (STRONG EMOTION) in a way that shows strong negative emotion such as anger or disappointment: She wept bitterly at the news. He was bitterly disappointed not to get the job.

The first readers of this gospel, for whom Peter was still a fresh memory and the ancestor of their faith, must have found this scene painful. Luke adds a touch of exquisite drama and deep compassion. Unlike the other passion stories, the evangelist has staged this scene so that Peter and Jesus are within sight of each other: the warming fire and the knot of soldiers torturing Jesus are in the same courtyard. As the cock crows–the very signal that Jesus had foretold to Peter (22:34), Jesus turns and looks at his disciple. That gaze penetrates Peter’s heart; he remembers Jesus’ words, words warning of failure – and hopefully the promise of forgiveness – as he leaves the courtyard weeping in remorse.

Guilt will not conquer sin. It does not heal what hurts.

Only the love of Jesus for us and our love for Jesus can heal us. A desire not to disappoint him and let him down is stronger than the fear of guilt. This is what the Apostle John meant when he said, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)

As Jesus looks at Peter, he sees afresh the necessity of the cross that lies before him. His love determines to redeem from sin the Peters among his worldwide band of disciples — by forgiving our offenses, taking our penalty, healing our sin-damaged souls, and restoring us to fellowship with God.

Jesus looks at Peter and knows that his life’s work lies just ahead. His hour has come.