It is not often that the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul falls on the Sunday, but this year it is so. And again today, marks the beginning of the celebration of the Jubilee of St. Paul, which honors St. Paul on the 2000th anniversary of his birthday.
However, in our following the Christian experience, the development of our history is always tied up with these two courageous men, Sts. Peter and Paul.
The first reading today tells us about the imprisonment of Saint Peter and how God watched out for him. The second reading is Saint Paul himself telling us about all of the sufferings that he went through in order to preach the Good News of Jesus as our Savior. The Gospel tells us about a particular aspect of the relationship between Jesus and Saint Peter.
When we hear these readings today, we also are aware that in our Roman Catholic Church we believe that the particular authority given to Saint Peter was passed down and is still passed down to his successor, whom we call the Pope. The readings help us understand how these early preachers felt themselves called by God and called to respond to what God was asking of them.
These two great apostles, Peter, who is one of the twelve, and Paul, who is called in a special way by the Lord Jesus Christ, in some way represent for us the amazing gift of God's grace to his Church.
Peter preaches to both the Jewish people and the Gentiles—but agrees to his primary mission being the conversion of his own Jewish people. Paul, incredibly strong in his Jewish faith, feels called to the Gentile mission.
However, in our following the Christian experience, the development of our history is always tied up with these two courageous men, Sts. Peter and Paul.
The first reading today tells us about the imprisonment of Saint Peter and how God watched out for him. The second reading is Saint Paul himself telling us about all of the sufferings that he went through in order to preach the Good News of Jesus as our Savior. The Gospel tells us about a particular aspect of the relationship between Jesus and Saint Peter.
When we hear these readings today, we also are aware that in our Roman Catholic Church we believe that the particular authority given to Saint Peter was passed down and is still passed down to his successor, whom we call the Pope. The readings help us understand how these early preachers felt themselves called by God and called to respond to what God was asking of them.
These two great apostles, Peter, who is one of the twelve, and Paul, who is called in a special way by the Lord Jesus Christ, in some way represent for us the amazing gift of God's grace to his Church.
Peter preaches to both the Jewish people and the Gentiles—but agrees to his primary mission being the conversion of his own Jewish people. Paul, incredibly strong in his Jewish faith, feels called to the Gentile mission.
Take your pick. Both St. Peter and St. Paul were outstanding followers of Jesus. You may be especially attracted to St. Peter, the fisherman who became the first Pope. Or you may find yourself more allured by St. Paul, the former persecutor of Christians and prolific author who preached in many places throughout Palestine.
But you can’t go wrong whether your favorite is St. Peter or St. Paul. Both traveled the same road—the only road—that leads to Christ, even though Peter had his own “lane” and Paul had his. But the direction was the same: to Jesus Christ Our Lord.
These two great Apostles and Martyrs proclaimed Jesus even to being imprisoned for the sake of His Holy Name and to the spilling of their blood. They courageously laid down their lives for Christ and His Holy Gospel.
Simon Peter was fearless when responding to the question posed by Jesus: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter sincerely replied without hesitation: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Although Peter would stumble later, shortly before the Crucifixion of Jesus, here he was surefooted. Such an insight from Peter can only come from God.
Paul was unafraid, whether speaking before naysayers and outright enemies of the Cross of Jesus or locked behind the jailhouse door. Paul knew that he had been “poured out like a libation”—he had spent himself in service to Christ and His Church. Paul expected that he and the others who faithfully labored in the vineyard of the Lord would be rewarded for their efforts, not because they merited it but because of the overwhelming mercy of the Master.
The Universal Church as a whole and each individual member of the Church are firmly indebted to Sts. Peter and Paul. We continue to benefit enormously from their heavenly intercession and good example.
How do we gear up for the Pauline Year?
We celebrate the Year of St. Paul to deepen our conviction about truths of faith like those that are recorded by this great Apostle to the Gentiles. During this year, our Holy Father invites us to strengthen our love for the word of God as a way to honor the Apostle who was unsurpassed in zeal for proclaiming the Gospel.
He also invites us to pray and work for unity among all the baptized, recalling how St. Paul constantly pleaded for reconciliation among the early converts to the Christian faith.
In this Year of St. Paul, let us gladly join with our Holy Father and with fellow Christians around the world in seeking deeper conversion and holiness of life, in imitating the evangelizing zeal of St. Paul, and in loving Christ with an undivided heart."
The Year of St. Paul provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the part that he played in the mission of the early Church. "Imprisoned, shipwrecked, persecuted and often a controversial figure, he has inspired generations of Christians to share the Gospel message wherever the Lord calls them. There is so much that we can learn from his life and work.
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