Introduction: Today we observe the feast of martyrdom of Saints
Peter and Paul. The Depositio Martyrum, in the year 258, places the
Solemnity of these Apostles on June 29th.
Eventhough they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went
first, and Paul followed. Both are the principal patrons of Rome and are mentioned in the Roman Canon.
Peter was son of Jonah
and brother of Andrew. He was a professional fisherman from Bethsaida,
a fishing town on the Lake
of Galilee. He might have been a follower of John the
Baptist. It was his brother Andrew who introduced him to Jesus, and Jesus who
changed his name from Simon to Cephas or Peter. Jesus
made him the leader of his apostles and the rock on which he would build his
Church. Peter was the first to preach the risen Lord on the day of Pentecost.
He also convened the first Church Council in Jerusalem and wrote two epistles to the whole
Church. He was crucified by the Emperor Nero in A. D. 64, and over his grave
was built St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome.
Patron of those in the fishing industry.
Paul, the fanatical Pharisee and scholar of Judaism was
miraculously converted and chosen by the Holy Spirit to be the “apostle to the
Gentiles.” He wrote 14 epistles, made several missionary journeys and spent his
final days in prison in Caesarea and Rome. He was beheaded at Tre Fontane. Over his
grave was built St. Paul’s Cathedral in Rome. After Jesus, Paul
is the most prominent person in the New Testament. 14 of the 27 books of the
New Testament are letters attributed to Paul and more than half of the Acts of the Apostles is devoted to
Paul’s conversion and to his apostolic activities in spreading the Good News. Patron
of the lay apostolate, the Cursillo Movement, and Catholic Action; also of Malta and Greece.
Mission: Our Lord called Peter and gave him a charge, a charge
that we Catholics consider a real blessing. Immediately after St. Peter
acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus
declared to him: “Blessed are
you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom
of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever
you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:
17-20) St. Peter’s job was that of
giving us unity and the rock-like strength that is found in unity. This job is
likewise the job of St. Peter’s successors… the popes, the successor Bishops of
Rome. “so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are
in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe
that you sent me”. (John 17:21)
St. Paul was tasked by Jesus to bring the diversity of the
gentiles into what had begun as an essentially Jewish community of believers.
The first believers were, of course, Jews. He became known as the Apostle to
the Gentiles, he himself having been a Jewish Pharisee. But Paul was careful to
carry out his mission not on his own but as a member of the College of Apostles. Paul’s message and teachings
were not his own; they were the message and teachings of the Apostles led by
St. Peter.
Joke: A priest settled into a chair in an office.
“Is it true,” said the priest, “that your firm does not charge the members of
the clergy?” “I am afraid you are misinformed,” stated the officer. “People in
your profession can look forward to a reward in the next world, but we people
have to take ours in this one.”
Practical Applications: 1) Accept Jesus as Son of the living God. As Jesus is
son of the living God, let us be brothers and sisters for the living. This can
be achieved only through accepting Jesus as Messiah, the Savior.
2)
It is not the power of being pope in Authority that leads peter to die for
Jesus, but having a feeling of unworthiness of death on the cross like
Jesus. And so Peter asked the executioners
to crucify him upside down on the cross. Positions are for servicing Jesus and
it is not authority.
3)
Let us be dutiful as St. Paul
was in commissioning Good News to the Gentiles instead of his own. Taking
difficult task for Jesus as a mission is the real mission work. Christian duty
is to spend life for Jesus among others who are needy.
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul –
Introduction
Message: Peter, rescued from the power of Herod, and Paul,
protected from his enemies, proclaim with their lives that Jesus is the
Messiah, the Son of the living God.
Saints and Events in this Week: 13-Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time;
30-Thirtieth-Monday- The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church; 1-First – July
–Tuesday-Blessed Junipero Serra, priest; 3-Third-Thursday-Saint Thomas,
Apostle; 5-Fifth-Saturday-Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, priest; Saint Elizabeth
of Portugal;
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