The Rooster Crows for Christ, by Mary Cuff

The rooster is, for many of us, a goofy figure: the strutting male of a bird species not known for its brains or courage. And for Christians, the rooster bears the dubious distinction of being the other half of the unfortunate duo involved in denying Christ three times the night of His betrayal.

And yet, it seems like chickens were very much on Jesus’ mind in the lead-up to His passion. The only two clear references to chickens in the Bible are recalled during Holy Week. As Christ approaches Jerusalem to begin His passion, He proclaims: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling!” (Matthew 23:37). And then, just as Jerusalem is poised yet again to kill God’s Anointed One, the rooster comes to announce Peter’s denial, just as Christ had warned; and the apostles scatter like so many chicks. …

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