Three times during the course of Jesus' passion, Peter denied knowing Him at all. All four gospels recount this scene, but maybe the most beautifully poignant words are those of Luke: "The Lord turned and looked at Peter... and he went out and wept bitterly". Before the event, Jesus had already told the brash and confident Peter that he would betray Him, but Peter trusted in his own strength. And when the test came, he was frightened and in his fear denied knowing Jesus.

Yet Jesus did not disown him. He forgave Peter, and Peter learned not to trust in himself, and not to be afraid in the face of opposition, criticism and even arrest and imprisonment. He became Jesus' loyal witness. Peter's story is, in a sense, today's gospel personified. In our different ways, each of us Christians at some stage face tests of our loyalty and trust in Jesus. Being the witnesses we're called to be is not always easy. So we need to keep Peter' experience before our minds, and listen to what Jesus frequently said in different contexts, "Don't be afraid". The fear comes from trusting in ourselves or our own abilities instead of placing all trust in the Lord who is always with us. When we are challenged let us declare ourselves for Jesus and remember Him saying that in crisis time the Holy Spirit will instruct us on what to say. And even if we fear failure, help us to keep in mind the loving gaze that Jesus gave to frightened Peter.