Gospel Mark 14:66-72
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth." But he denied it, saying, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about." And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, "Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean." But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know this man you are talking about." At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.

The message
The servant-girl observes him as he warms himself by the courtyard fire. She knows who he is. She knows he is one of Jesus’ followers, a pal of the man from Nazareth who at that very moment is on trial for his life before the High Priest. So she challenges him. “You also were with Jesus,” she says.
But Peter vehemently denies it. The rock, who had earlier pledged undying loyalty to Jesus, now claims to have no relationship with him.
How confused, ashamed, and alone, Peter must feel there in the courtyard. Not only has his Master been arrested and his world fallen apart, but now out of fear for his own life he can’t even admit that he knows him. He hasn’t the courage to speak the truth. He lies. And the cock crows.
The servant-girl doesn’t let up. She knows the truth – and so she challenges him again. Her words must be like arrows through his heart, but still Peter won’t admit to knowing Jesus. When the by-standers begin to make the same accusation, he curses and swears at them, and denies Jesus once more.
Then the cock crows a second time, and Peter remembers how Jesus had predicted that he would deny him, and he breaks down and weeps bitter tears of guilt and remorse.

The lesson
They had tried to speak the truth for years, but no one would listen; they had tried to tell their story but it fell on deaf ears. After all, they weren’t people in authority, they weren’t bishops, or clergy, or politicians. They were little people, on the margins, without influence or standing, men, women and children who didn’t matter much.
And then the Ryan and Murphy Reports were published, and at last their voices were heard; their stories told; at last, the terrible, shocking truth was out there. Like the servant-girl in the Gospel story, it was those on the margins who spoke the truth and kept on speaking it, until their persistence finally forced the Church and society to face up to what had gone on. The tragedy was that it took so long for the truth to come out.

The challenge
As Christians, we are called to seek and speak the truth at all times, whatever the cost, as Jesus did, as the servant-girl did. Some terrible truths have emerged in recent times about failures in our Church. What truth do we need to speak right now, about our Church, about our society? What might be holding us back from speaking the truth?

The Prayer
“Lord, help me to do what is right. Help me always to speak and witness to the truth. Amen.”

--- Prayers for the Mass ---

Opening Prayer
God our Father,
your light of truth
guides us to the way of Christ.
May all who follow him reject
what is contrary to the Gospel.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord of Life,
By offering what you have given us,
may we receive the gift of yourself,
and live always in your truth.
Grant this through Christ Our Lord.

Concluding Prayer:
Gracious Father,
May the Eucharist we have shared
Help us to do with loving hearts what you ask of us,
And come to share in the life you promise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.