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2. The Tears of Saint Peter
Saint Peter, the apostle chosen by our Lord, was strong in words but weak in the moment of trial. Before the rooster crowed, he denied his Master three times. Yet, when the Lord turned and looked at him, Peter’s heart broke, and he went out and wept bitterly. Those tears became his repentance, and through them, he was forgiven.
As written in the Gospel of Luke, the Lord said to him, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to have you, that he may sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and when you have returned, strengthen your brothers.” Peter, full of confidence, answered, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” But the Lord told him, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied me three times.”
Later, when Jesus was taken to the high priest’s house, Peter followed Him from a distance. In the courtyard, as he sat among those warming themselves by the fire, a servant woman saw him and said, “This man also was with Him.” Peter denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” Soon after, another said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter replied, “Man, I am not.” About an hour later, another insisted, “Surely this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying.”
At that moment, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked upon Peter, and Peter remembered the words of his Master. His heart was pierced with sorrow, and he went out and wept bitterly.
The tears of Saint Peter were not of despair, but of deep repentance and love. His denial became the doorway to humility. Though he fell in weakness, he rose again through repentance and was strengthened by grace. From that moment, Peter became a true shepherd, feeding the flock of Christ with a heart purified by tears.
3. The Tears of Saint John the Evangelist
John the Evangelist, called the Beloved of God, was one of the few disciples who faithfully followed our Lord to the Cross. In His great wisdom, our Lord entrusted the care of His mother, the Virgin Mary, to John, saying, “Woman, behold your son!” and to John, “Behold your mother!” From that hour, John took her into his own home, showing his obedience, humility, and love (John 19:25–27). The evangelist wept until the day of his death, remembering the suffering of the Son of God, and his tears reflected a heart deeply united with Christ’s sorrow.
He is called the “Face of Sorrow” because he witnessed the suffering of the Lord and his heart was pierced with compassion. In his vision, he saw: “I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ And no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it. I wept much because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals’” (Revelation 5:1–5).
Through John’s example, we learn that true discipleship involves compassion, steadfast faith, and loving responsibility. His tears remind us that mourning before God is not weakness but a holy act of prayer and repentance. Though sorrow may touch the faithful deeply, God’s mercy and triumph bring hope, restoration, and the assurance that His plan prevails. John teaches us to embrace sorrow with faith, to serve faithfully, and to trust in the victory of Christ, the Lion of Judah.
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