The Look of Denunciation

And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter (Lk.22, 61)

What was in that look of the Savior? What should Peter have felt, when he met that look, full of meek and loving reproach? No wonder he got overwhelmed with repention, he realized how much he distressed his Master and Lord, and tears were running down from his eyes. He, who was hoping much on his firmness, and not long ago assuring that he’d always follow his Master and that he’d follow Him everywhere – how could he forget all of that in a moment and renounce the One, Who he was ready to die for!

The look of the Savior woke him from cowardice. And let this look, full of love, but of just denunciation as well, stop us when we are ready to forget our promises and good intentions when every little reason calls for us to renounce the truth. Let us prove our love to the Savior by devoted service to the One, Who we decided to be faithful to forever. Not counting on our own firmness, which can be so infirm, let us hope on God, holding on to Him, leaning on His Word, onto the live, endless source of that word. And remembering the renunciation of Peter, let us always search for that Heavenly look of our Savior. Let us turn to Him every time when the ground under our feet becomes shaky. Leaning on Him we will be faithful to Him till our death. And when He asks us: “Lovest thou me?” we will reply without any hesitation: “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee!” (Jn.21, 17)

(Translated by Tatiana Rozzell from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest” (1905), author unknown)