"I opposed him to his face because he was clearly wrong".

Today's first reading shows us the obedience, courage and freedom of St Paul. St Paul was obedient to God's revelation in his heart so he went to Jerusalem. He was obedient to the Church so he presented his teaching to Peter, James and John asking for confirmation from them. It was this obedience that gave him great courage and freedom in Christ in the face of difficulties and persecutions.

St Paul was not afraid to admonish St Peter for his hypocrisy. He knew that hypocrisy destroys our freedom and makes proclamation of the Gospel vain. As Christian we are always in danger of hypocrisy when we fear people more than we respect our God or when we want to please people more than we obey God.

In order to sustain obedience, courage and freedom we need to pray in the spirit of the "Our Father". Through this prayer Jesus teaches us that respect for God's name, dedication to build God's kingdom, trust and forgiveness make us truly children of our heavenly Father.