Gospel in Art: Tuesday of Holy Week - Before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times

Peter's Denial, by Carl Heinrich Bloch, 1873, © Brigham Young University Museum of Art, Provo, Utah

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 4 April 2023
John 13:21-33,36-38

While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, 'I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.' The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, 'Ask who it is he means', so leaning back on Jesus' breast he said, 'Who is it, Lord?' 'It is the one' replied Jesus 'to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.' He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, 'What you are going to do, do quickly.' None of the others at table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, 'Buy what we need for the festival', or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. Night had fallen.

When he had gone Jesus said:

'Now has the Son of Man been glorified,

and in him God has been glorified.

If God has been glorified in him,

God will in turn glorify him in himself,

and will glorify him very soon.

'My little children,

I shall not be with you much longer.

You will look for me,

And, as I told the Jews,

where I am going, you cannot come.'

Simon Peter said, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus replied, 'Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.' Peter said to him, 'Why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.' 'Lay down your life for me?' answered Jesus. 'I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.'

Reflection on the painting

At the end of today's gospel reading we read how Jesus tells Peter: 'I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.' This is beautifully represented here in our painting by Danish artist Carl Heinrich Bloch. The shame of Peter's face is captured so vividly. He is looking away from Jesus, who is being processed by the Roman soldiers in the background. Peter is full of remorse. The denial and remorse of Peter is an important theme during Holy Week, more specifically in connection with the Sacrament of Penance. This painting can help us prepare for going to confession and imagining that we are Peter, ashamed. In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins.

To the right of the painting we see a woman recognising Peter. Jesus and Peter are both dressed in red garments. Soon Peter will take over where Christ left off and be in charge of his Church here on earth. Note the realism with which the grass is painted between the cobbles.

But this painting is also a painting of hope. Peter is flanked by a lion who is watching over him, literally. In Christian art the lion usually symbolises Jesus. This is due in part to the lion's reputation as the "king", as well as an ancient belief that lion cubs were born dead and after three days were brought to life by their father's roar. The book of Revelation also refers to Jesus as a lion: "Do not weep. The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed" (Revelation 5:5). CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia is probably the most famous modern depiction of Jesus as a lion.

The story of Peter and the cock is recorded in all four Gospels. Maybe that is why at the top of many of our church buildings we put a rooster atop our steeples. Used as a symbol, the rooster represents the weakness of man and the grace of Christ in forgiving us sinners!

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-13-21-33-36-38-2023/