The presence of Jesus always brings healing. Earlier, at his arrest, it was the servant's ear. Here it's Peter's soul. After the third denial Jesus looks at Peter to remind him of what he had said earlier: "I'm praying for you."
As Luke describes it, Jesus saw and heard all three denials. Remember the feelings when, after you've said something not complimentary about someone, you realize that they overheard it? That's how Peter felt when he saw Jesus across the way. He was crushed.
But Peter, unlike Judas, didn't commit suicide. We don't know what happened next (Peter is not seen again until after the resurrection) but he must have poured out the awful truth to the other disciples. They must have done what we all must do when someone tells us their failures: Acknowledge the evil, and open our arms wide in mercy. One without the other will not work.
The Lord is with you, in the courtyard of your life, not off somewhere else. And he looks at you, not as a spectator, but with love. He's pulling for you. To remember he's with you as you go through a day might change a few things. Maybe a lot of things.
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw