And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, "Certainly this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.
Luke 22:59–62 (RSV)
I have tried to imagine Jesus' gaze as the echo of cock's crow was dying in the morning air. St. Peter, in the moment of his denial, felt a shame unlike any in the history of our race.
St. Peter saw in Jesus' face the agony of betrayal, denial, and the sin of all creation. St. Peter could do no other but weep bitterly for what he had done. The infinite sorrow in the face of Jesus broke St. Peter's heart, and there was nothing but tears.
When have you last wept over your sin? Has it ever taken place? Have we become so complacent as we confess our sin that we feel no pangs of sorrow? If we could look Jesus fully in the face as we confess, would we weep?
St. Peter's bitter tears were his repentance. The anguish of his soul, the outcome of his denials, was poured out in his tears. Jesus, whom St. Peter thrice denied, went to the cross to redeem those tears. Our Lord bears the cross for all whose sin is a denial of Him.
Perhaps tears will not accompany our repentance. We will do well to behold our Lord upon the cross as we confess our sin. Jesus looks upon us, offering the same mercy He offered St. Peter for his bitter tears.