Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
Scripture:
Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Matthew 16:13 -19
Reflection:
Today we celebrate two great men of the Church, Saints Peter and Paul. Two ordinary men, one a fisherman and the other a Pharisee and a tentmaker. Two ordinary men who recognized that God had called them to be something greater than they thought themselves to be. Two ordinary men who had courage to speak the truth that was spoken to them through Christ. They endured suffering through many hardships and trials for their words and actions and yet they kept on believing in the truth that dwelt in their hearts.
“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church . . .” Mt 16:19
I have just returned from a trip to France, Spain, and Italy. The first stop was the city of Paris and the first landmark we visited was the Cathedral of Notre Dame. The cathedral was not open for visitors, but the outside was an architectural marvel. Standing in the place where the story of the people of Paris began was a great way to begin our travels. There would be other cathedrals and churches that my husband and I would visit along the way. Many had beautiful works of art depicting the life of Christ and the Saints in them, such as the cathedrals in Arles and Monaco, and the Papal Palace in Avignon. The last great cathedral on our trip was the Dumo in Milan. The third largest cathedral in Europe is the burial place of Saint Charles Borromeo who was the Archbishop of Milan from 1564 – 1584. There is also a simple but large wall monument to honor Saint Ambrose who was bishop of Milan from 374 – 397. In the Spirit of Saints Peter and Paul, they continued the mission of building the Church by leading the people into a deeper relationship with God. The beauty of these cathedrals, basilicas, and churches give praise to God as well as the people who come to pray and celebrate mass every day and on Sundays. If there were no great buildings the Church would still exist because the Church is more than brick and mortar, it is the People of God, Saints and sinners alike who continue what was begun over two thousand years ago.
All of us who are baptized in the Church are the Church. From the beginning it has always been about the people. The prayers of the Church are powerful, they may not always be answered the way we would like but they are still answered. Peter and Paul both put their faith and trust in the Church as they went about spreading the “Good News” They did not have an easy task with the many abuses they underwent as they preached, taught and baptized those who wanted to become disciples. On this feast we remember our two great saints who established the Church. Let us pray for our Church and world that God may send us the graces we need to proclaim the “Good News” and be the Church in our world today.
Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.