ON THE FEAST OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL

Mt 16:13-23

We celebrate today the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles, principal patrons of the Church of Rome. Looking at the history of the Church, both Peter and Paul had very important tasks in the early church, Peter maintaining the unity in the church which was spreading throughout the Middle East and Europe, and Paul who taught the Jews that Jesus is the fulfillment of their Old Testament and taught the non-Jews that Jesus is their Savior. Whenever you see statues of Peter and Paul, usually Peter is holding a key, symbolizing his duty as head of the church, and Paul is holding the Bible, symbolizing his preaching in spreading the good news of Jesus.

At this Solemnity, the Church invites us to reflect on the important question of faith. Who do you say Jesus is? With this brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers and he is confronting us today. Who do you say that I am? He has spent much time teaching his disciples, now the time has come for them to confess their faith. After the lecture it was time for the quiz. Jesus started giving an easy question: "Who do people say I am?" The disciples answered: "Well, some say you're John the Baptist ... some say Elijah ... others say a prophet." They were happy giving collective speculations. But that was not Jesus’ point. He wanted personal answers. Who do you say that I am? The Christ whom we follow is personal. Christ loves all of us and died for the whole world, but he always comes inquiring about my heart, about your heart. "Who do you say I am?"

Peter spoke up: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” This is a very good answer that reflects faith. The answer to this question is a profession of faith. It is a personal question that demands a personal response from each us. It is true that we have read and heard many things about Jesus as a teacher, a healer, a preacher and a prophet. But do these images move and inspire us to love Him more and to trust him? Knowing Jesus is not just a matter of the mind, we should imitate Him. And Saints Peter and Paul are examples for us.

These great apostles were not extraordinary people. In character, Peter was impulsive and enthusiastic, wanting to make three tents at the transfiguration on the mountain, attempting to walk on the waters and then has to be rescued by Jesus when he begins to sink. And he denied Jesus three times. Saint Paul was a great enemy and persecutor of the Church before he encountered Jesus. He killed many Christians according to the Jewish law. But in all this, Jesus, takes special care to reinstate Peter as the leader of the Church, and to turn Saul the persecutor into Paul the preacher.

As we look at these personalities, we contemplate their willingness to cooperate with God. This requires faith. The Gospel speaks of the confession of Peter: “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” Because of this confession, Jesus replies: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.” The role of Peter, is founded upon his confession of faith in Jesus. Faith opens us to God’s will. To be able to cooperate with God requires sacrifice also. In the second reading we heard the moving words of Saint Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.” But what is this fight of Paul? It is not one of those fights fought with human weapons which sadly continue to cause bloodshed throughout the world; rather, it is the fight of martyrdom. The fight of sacrifice. Saint Paul has one weapon: the message of Christ and the gift of his entire life for Christ and for others.

  Celebrating Saints Peter and Paul reminds us that our talents and our weaknesses too can become God’s means of helping others. We don’t have to be perfect for God to work through us, God can work through us, as he did with Peter and Paul. All we need is willingness to change and to cooperate with God. Let us learn from these  words of the pencil maker telling his pencils before leaving the factory: “Pencils, remember the following: first, your value is found within you; second, always allow yourselves to be led and guided by another hand when you write; and third, bear the pain of being sharpened regularly.