ACC ~ Luke 22 v31 - 34

SATAN ATTACKS PETER AS A LEADER IN THE CHURCH

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: To humble our tendency for pride and to repress ambitious feelings, Christ shows that even he who seemed to be great is nothing and infirm. He therefore passes by the other disciples and turns to him who is the foremost and sat at the head of the company. He says, “Satan has many times desired to sift you as wheat, that is, to search and try you and expose you to intolerable blows.” Satan usually attacks people who are above average. Like some fierce and arrogant barbarian, Satan challenges to one-to-one combat those of high reputation in the ways of piety. He challenged Job, but his patience defeated him. The boaster fell. The endurance of that triumphant hero conquered him. Satan preys on human nature, because it is infirm and easy to overcome. He is harsh, pitiless and unappeasable in heart. As the sacred Scripture says of him, “His heart is hard as a stone, and he stands like an anvil that cannot be beaten out.” [1] Christ’s might, however, places him under the feet of the saints. He has said, “Behold, I have given you to tread on serpents and scorpions and upon all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” [2] COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 144. [3]

[1] Job 41:24 Vulgate.

[2] Lk 10:19.

[3] CGSL 576**.

GOD PROTECTS OUR FAITH FROM ALL THREATS

TERTULLIAN: The devil also asked for power to tempt the apostles, since he did not have it except with divine permission. In the Gospel, the Lord said to Peter, “Behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.” That is to say, the devil could not have so much power as to be able to endanger the faith of Peter. We thus see that the threat to our faith as well as its protection are in the power of God. ON FLIGHT IN TIME OF PERSECUTION 2.4. [1]

[1] FC 40:279*.

IMITATORS BUT NO EQUALS

AMBROSE: Although Peter was ready in spirit, he still was weak in physical love. Christ rebuked him before he denied the Lord. Not even Peter could equal the steadfastness of the divine purpose. The Lord’s Passion has imitators but no equals. I do not criticize Peter’s denial, but I praise his weeping. The one is common to nature, but the other is peculiar to virtue. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 10.52. [1]

[1] EHG 405**.

PETER ANNOUNCES HIS COURAGE INSTEAD OF ASKING FOR STRENGTH

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: In the passion of his zeal, Peter professed steadfastness and endurance to the last extremity, saying that he would courageously resist the terrors of death and count chains as nothing. In so doing, he erred from what was right. When the Savior told Peter that he would be weak and contradict the Lord, he should not have loudly protested the contrary. The Truth could not lie. Peter should have rather asked strength from Christ, either that he might not suffer this or that he might be rescued immediately from harm. He was fervent in spirit, warm in his love toward Christ, and of unrestrained zeal in rightly performing those duties which fit a disciple in his service to his master. Peter declares that he will endure to the last extremity. Christ rebuked him for foolishly speaking against what was foreknown and for his unreasonable haste in contradicting the Savior’s words. For this reason he says, “Truly I tell you, that the rooster will not crow tonight, until you have three times denied me.” This proved true. Let us not think highly of ourselves, even if we see ourselves greatly distinguished for our virtues. Let us rather offer the praises of our thanks to Christ who redeems us and who grants us even the desire to be able to act correctly. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 144. [1]

[1] CGSL 577**.

FORGIVENESS OFFERED BEFORE PETER SINS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Admire the beautiful skill of the passage and the surpassing greatness of the divine gentleness! He fears that Peter’s impending fall would lead the disciple to desperation, as though he would be expelled from the glories of the apostleship. Peter’s former following of Christ would then lose its reward, because of his inability to bear the fear of death and his denying him. Christ therefore immediately fills him with good hope. He grants him the confident assurance that he will be counted worthy of the promised blessings and gather the fruits of faithfulness. He says, “When you are converted, strengthen your brothers.” O what great and incomparable kindness! The affliction of faithlessness had not yet made the disciple ill, and already he has received the medicine of forgiveness. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 144. [1]

[1] CGSL 577**.

PETER CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH

AUGUSTINE: What else does the Lord’s passion present us with in our head Christ Jesus, but supremely the tests and trials of this life? That is why, as the time of his death drew near, Christ said to Peter, “Satan has asked for you all to sift you like wheat. And I have prayed, Peter, for you, that your faith should not fail. Go and strengthen your brothers.” He certainly has strengthened us by his apostolate, martyrdom and letters. In them he also warned us to fear the night I am speaking of and instructed us to be carefully vigilant, having the consolation of prophecy like a light in the night. “We have,” he said, “the more certain prophetic word, to which you do well to attend, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star rises in your hearts.” [1] SERMON 210.6. [2]

PETER’S DENIAL OVERCOME BY JESUS’ RESURRECTION

PRUDENTIUS:

The Savior once to Peter showed

What hidden power this bird may have,

And warned that ere the cock would crow

Himself three times must be denied. [3]

For evil deeds are ever done

Before that herald of the dawn

Enlightens humankind and brings

An end to error and to sin.

Forthwith he wept his bitter fall [4]

Whose lying lips denied the Christ,

The while his heart was innocent,

And steadfast faith his soul preserved.

And never more such word he spoke,

By slip of tongue or conscious fault,

For mindful of the crowing cock,

The just man ceased from ways of sin.

Hence all now hold in firm belief

That in the stillness of the night

When loudly crows the joyful cock

Our Lord came back from hell’s dim shore. [5]

HYMN FOR EVERY DAY 1.49-68. [6]

[1] 2 Pet 1:19.

[2] WSA 3 6:121*.

[3] Mt 26:34; Mk 14:30; Jn 13:38.

[4] See Mt 26:75; Mk 14:72; Lk 22:62.

[5] See Mt 28:1; Jn 20:1.

[6] FC 43:6**.