Today is the External Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles of Christ. Both of them labored much to spread the gospel and to establish His kingdom here on earth. It is with great joy throughout the world to celebrate this feast. The Church rejoices and gives thanks to God for these two important figures in the whole Church.
Let us revisit and remember Saint Peter’s and Saint Paul’s identities for the sake of our understanding and appreciating these two pillars of the Christian world. Peter was part of the original 12 circle of Jesus’ friends. When Peter first met Jesus, he was given a new name after confessing that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus solemnly gave him a new name; from being called Simon, he would then be called Petrus, or Peter, which means the Rock.
The fact was that he knew Jesus’ identity, but on the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter’s infidelity caused him to deny Jesus three times, but he later redeemed himself through His great confession after Jesus asked him, “Do you love Me?” Peter answered Him, “Yes, Lord.” Jesus continues to tell him, “If you love Me, keep my commandments, feed my sheep,” and Peter gives all to Jesus and to His Church. And so, St. Peter, the first Vicar of Christ on earth, had nothing to give except Jesus. Peter loves Jesus, still being poor and still an unworthy servant to lead his flock.
Paul was an enemy of Jesus of Nazareth before his conversion. On his way to Damascus, he encountered Jesus shining so brightly that he could not glance too long at the immensity of the light, and he became blind. Paul makes us rejoice to confess, “I live, now not I, but Jesus lives within me.” His total surrender healed him, and he expressed his gratitude with his great dedication to preach and to do missionary works to proclaim the Goodnews. We remember this beautiful story of Paul’s conversion. In the end, St. Paul became the greatest evangelist, bringing Christ’s gospel to thousands of people.
The epistle today narrates to us that there was a crisis in the early Church, to which God responded to reveal His ways. God made Peter and Paul be freed from imprisonment through His intervention. The light of God manifests to penetrate any place and to break through anyone’s heart.
Both Peter and Paul are also noted for the many sufferings and trials they underwent. Paul was martyred in Rome and was known as the “Apostle of the Gentiles”. Many of the New Testament books are assigned to Paul’s authorship. I believe that after the offering of their lives, throughout the history of the Church, many Christians were inspired by their lives, and they remain prophetic witnesses of the Holy Church. From time immemorial God walks with and listens to us in solidarity with the given mission to prosper and succeed in our evangelization.
I believe that the gospel states the very foundation of the Holy Catholic Church, when Jesus says to St. Peter, “Upon this rock, I will build my Church.” May God grant us the firmness in faith and charity and in remaining faithful to Christ, who is the Head. Let us contribute in our own little way bearing witness for Him and remaining faithful until death in professing and living out our faith in Jesus, our Lord, and for the exaltation of His Holy Church.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
