Passion of Jesus 3
Jesus had once said, as a test:
"Come after me
And I will make you fishers of men."
This could only be another such test, a trial of his courage, and at that moment Peter thought he had courage for anything. He would show his Lord that now, as ever, he was constant. He would ask, he would offer himself, be the consequences what they might:
" Peter saith to him
Why cannot I follow thee?
I will lay down my life for thee Lord
I am ready to go with thee
Both into prison and to death."
Poor, brave Peter ! How easy is it to be brave when no danger is near us! How easy to be faithful when there is no temptation to desert, but only sweet attraction to draw us! But not in such a way may those be trained who are destined to guide others. For that end Peter must be allowed his lesson, which only a heavy fall would teach him. In the answer which Jesus gave him there is irony, there is resignation ,there is even hope, there is no less affection;indeed love is the more expressed by the repetition of the name:
" Jesus answered and said to him
Wilt thou lay down your life for me?
Amen Amen I say to thee
Peter
Today even in this night
Before the cock crow twice
Thou shalt deny me thrice."
" Peter!" Before He had said:" Simon , Simon", now it was " Peter!"Then , his ordinary name, now, when his fall is prophesied , he is called " The Rock!" Such is the affectionate irony of Jesus Christ.
There is another thing to be noticed. That night Jesus had to deal with two offenders, Judas and Simon Peter.Judas that night would betray Him but once, Peter would deny Him thrice. Judas had made no special protest of allegiance, Peter had declared his loyalty again and again . Judas had been entrusted merely with the common purse; to Peter had been given the keys , the care of the Universal Church. And yet, after their fall, how differently they were treated !
The one repented out of despair, the other , with all his weakness, had never
ceased to love; and Jesus knew the value of them both.
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