Fourth Station

Jesus is Denied by Peter (Matthew 26:69–75)

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:

Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.”

When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.”

After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!”

At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”

And he went out and wept bitterly.

My friend and my neighbor you have put away from me,

And darkness is my only companion

(Silence)

Most merciful God, you love everything you have made and reject no one who turns to you: Look with compassion on our inconstancy and failings, strengthen our resolve to walk in your ways, and guide us to do as you would have us do; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Holy God,

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy upon us.