ACC ~ Luke 22 v54 - 62

OVERVIEW:

Peter follows Jesus to the house of the high priest because of his piety and devotion to his Lord (AMBROSE). Peter denies Jesus because of his cowardice and fear of death (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Peter denies that he is among the Galileans, denying his association with Jesus and with his fellow disciples—fellow brothers of Jesus (AMBROSE). Peter’s denial comes before he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (AUGUSTINE).

Only Luke records the look of Jesus, which reminds Peter of Jesus’ teaching at the table, so that his conscience condemns him (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). By singling out Peter among his persecutors, Jesus conveys to him the humility that Peter will need when he confronts fear and anxiety over his own death (LEO THE GREAT). The look therefore also holds the promise of an absolution. Peter remembers Jesus’ promise. He knows that the Lord’s word is true and efficacious, calling sinners to repentance and absolving them (AMBROSE). This marvelous scene captures the whole purpose of Luke’s Gospel. Through Peter’s denials, absolution and restoration, he will be able to fulfill the second part of Jesus’ prophetic instructions that he will turn and strengthen his brother disciples as a shepherd of Christ’s flock (AUGUSTINE). Peter’s bitter tears are an expression of his surprise at this guilt and heartfelt sorrow that he has so quickly rejected his Lord (AMBROSE). Peter washes away his denial by baptismal tears of repentance (AUGUSTINE).

22:54-55 | Peter Follows Jesus

PETER SHOWS HIS DEVOTION

AMBROSE: One close to denial fittingly followed from afar, because he could not have denied him if he had stayed close to Christ. Perhaps we should venerate him for this with the greatest admiration, because he did not forsake the Lord although he was afraid. … Peter follows Christ because of devotion. He denies because of sudden temptation. It is commonplace that he falls, and it is through faith that he repents. The fire was already burning in the house of the chief priest. Peter approached to warm himself, [1] because with the imprisonment of the Lord, the warmth of his mind had already cooled within him. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 10.72. [2]

[1] Mk 14:54; Jn 18:18.

[2] EHG 412**.

22:56-60 | The Three Denials

COWARDICE AND FEAR OF DEATH

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: We do not say that the denial took place in order that Christ’s words might come true. We say rather that his object was to forewarn the disciple, inasmuch as what was about to happen did not escape Christ’s knowledge. The misfortune, therefore, happened to the disciple from the cowardice of human nature. Since Christ had not risen from the dead, he had not yet abolished death and wiped corruption away. The fear of undergoing death was something beyond human endurance. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 149. [1]

[1] CGSL 591-92**.

THE FIRST TO DENY JESUS

AMBROSE: What difference does it make that the maid is the first to give Peter away? The men could have recognized him instead. Perhaps this happened so that we may see that the female sex also sinned by killing the Lord, so that his passion should also redeem womankind. A woman therefore was the first to receive the mystery of the resurrection and to obey the commands, [1] so that she abolished the old error of her sin. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 10.73. [2]

[1] See Jn 20:11-18.

[2] EHG 412**.

PETER’S DENIAL COMES BEFORE PENTECOST

AUGUSTINE: By saying that Peter did penance, we have to take care not to think that he did it as those who are properly called penitents now do it in the church. Who could bear it that we should think the first of the apostles was numbered among such penitents? He repented of having denied Christ, as his tears show, for so it is written, “he wept bitterly.” [1] They had not yet been strengthened by the resurrection of the Lord, the coming of the Holy Spirit who appeared on the day of Pentecost, or by that breath which the Lord breathed on them after he rose from the dead. LETTER 265. [2]

[1] Mt 26:75.

[2] FC 32:277*.

22:61 | Fulfillment of Prophecy

PETER CONDEMNED BY HIS CONSCIENCE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: This miserable act arose from the affliction of human cowardice. The disciple’s conscience condemned him. The proof of this is his grieving immediately afterwards and his tears of repentance that fell from his eyes as for a serious sin. It says, “Having gone out, he wept bitterly,” after Christ had looked at him and reminded him of what he had said to Peter. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 149. [1]

[1] CGSL 592**.

THE GAZE OF TRUTH

LEO THE GREAT: Then “the Lord looked at Peter.” Christ stood in the middle of the priests’ insults, the witnesses’ lies, and the injuries of those that struck him and spat on him. He met the troubled disciple with his eyes, the same eyes that had foreseen that Peter would undergo a struggle. In so doing, the gaze of truth entered Peter, directed toward the place where the amendment of his heart would be grounded. It was as if the Lord’s voice were echoing within Peter, saying, “What are you thinking, Peter? Why do you withdraw into yourself? Turn to me, trust in me, ” and “follow me.” [1] This is the time for my passion. The hour of your suffering has not yet come. Why do you fear what you yourself will also overcome? Do not let the weakness that I have accepted disturb you. I was anxious for you, but you should not worry about me.” SERMON 54.5.1. [2]

[1] See Jn 21:22.

[2] FC 93:235-36**.

LIKE PETER, WE ARE TO REPENT

AMBROSE: Peter also wept bitterly. He wept so that he could purge his sin with tears. If you want to deserve pardon, you should wash away your guilt with tears. At that same moment and time, Christ looks at you. If you perhaps fall into some sin, because he is a witness to your secrets, he looks at you so that you may recall and confess your error. Imitate Peter, when he says in another place for the third time, “Lord, you know that I love you.” [1] Since he denied him a third time, he confesses him a third time. He denied at night, but he confesses by day. These words were written that we should know that no one must boast of himself. If Peter fell because he said, “Although others shall be scandalized in you, I shall not be scandalized,” [2] what other person can rightly take himself for granted? Since David also said, “I said in my prosperity, ‘I shall never be moved,’” he admitted that his boasting had harmed him, saying, “You turned away your face, and I was troubled.” [3] EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 10.90-91. [4]

[1] Jn 21:15.

[2] Mt 26:33 Vulgate.

[3] Ps 30:6-7 (29:7-8 LXX).

[4] EHG 417-18**.

PETER’S DENIAL PREPARES HIM TO SHEPHERD CHRIST’S FLOCK

AUGUSTINE: When fear overwhelmed him, as the Lord had predicted, he three times denies the one for whom he promised to die. As it says, “The Lord looked at him and he, for his part, wept bitterly.” Remembrance of his denial was necessarily bitter, so that the grace of redemption might be even more sweet. If Christ had not left him to himself, he would not have denied. If Christ had not looked at him, he would not have wept. God hates people relying presumptuously on their own powers. Like a doctor, he lances this swollen tumor in those whom he loves. By lancing it, of course, he inflicts pain, but he also ensures health later. When he rises again, the Lord entrusts his sheep to Peter, to that one who denied him. Peter denied him because he relied on himself, but later Peter would feed his flock as a pastor, because he loved him. After all, why does he ask him three times about his love, if not to prick his conscience about his threefold denial? SERMON 285.3. [1]

[1] WSA 3 8:96-97*.

22:62 | Peter Weeps Bitterly

GUILT TAKES PETER BY SURPRISE

AMBROSE: Why did Peter weep? Guilt took him by surprise. I am accustomed to weep if I lack guilt, if I do not avenge myself, or do not get what I wickedly desire. Peter grieved and wept because he went astray as a man. I do not learn why he spoke, but I learn that he wept. I read of his tears, but I do not read of his explanation. What cannot be defended can be purged. Tears may wash away the offense that is a shame to confess aloud. Tears deal with pardon and shame. Tears speak of guilt without fear and confess sin without the obstacle of shame. Tears do not demand pardon and deserve it. I learn why Peter was silent, lest a swift petition for pardon might offend even more. First he must weep, and then he must pray. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 10.88. [1]

[1] EHG 417**.

A BAPTISM OF TEARS

AUGUSTINE: To wash away the sin of denial, Peter needed the baptism of tears. From where would he get this, unless the Lord gave him this too? That is why the apostle Paul gave this advice to his people concerning deviant opinions and about how they should deal with them. He said they must be “correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth.” [1] So even repentance is a gift from God. The heart of the proud is hard ground. It is softened for repentance only if it is rained on by God’s grace. SERMON 229O.1. [2]

[1] 2 Tim 2:25.

[2] WSA 3 6:324*.