Fourth Station Peter denies Jesus Mark 14. After the Passover, when Judas had left, the Master had told them he was going away, and like young children they had felt bereft: not to be going with him to Gethsemane. “I will not desert you, but on this night you will all desert me, thus fulfilling the prophecy; but after you are scattered, I will go before you all, to Galilee.” Simon Peter, his heart on fire claimed he would never desert the master, as he was not afraid – would go to prison, die if he must – he would defend the just! “Simon Peter, this night you shall be sifted, as a man sifts wheat; after that you shall deny me three times, before the cock crows at dawn; only after that shall you be meek.” “I should have been alright, if only I had been allowed to fight; I would have defended him in the garden, but he commanded us to stay; even so, John and I still followed him, when they took him away. Around the fire, came the sense of unease, leading me to the three fearful denials; the hard stares tempting me to please. Then came the dawn’s dreadful cock crow. Being led away, he turned and looked at me, but he could not take my shame away.”