Two Companions Along the Way
Father Phil Paxton, CP
To All,
Since Sunday is June 29, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Peter and Paul, two great apostles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And as I was reflecting on these two great saints, I thought that perhaps the best way to think about them would be to remember their humanity and that they were able to do what they did by the love of God in Jesus Christ and the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.
In our Gospel reading from Matthew (16:13-19), we hear Peter confess the truth about Jesus. In response to Jesus’ question, “But who do you say that I am,” Peter replies, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus replies, “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… I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven…”
At this point Peter does not fully understand how Jesus is to be the Messiah, dying on the Cross and rising from the dead. He has yet to go through the experience of learning that he can do nothing on his own power, giving in to fear and denying that he knew Jesus on Good Friday. And yet, somehow this man Peter, after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, became fearless in proclaiming the Good News, and became the leader of the early Church.
In our second reading (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18), St. Paul reflects on his life: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” But he, too, had to undergo a profound conversion, going from a persecutor of the Church, to a great apostle. He, too, underwent trials and persecutions, and even conflicts within the community. But by the grace of God, he persevered.
Both of these men were ultimately martyred for their faith. I don’t think they are held up to us as saints whose holiness we can never hope to attain. Rather, they are human beings who responded to conversion and trusted in the love and power of God in Jesus Christ. They went where the Holy Spirit led them, and many people’s lives were touched, and the foundation of the church was accomplished through them and the other early disciples.
May we be open to conversion, and follow the Holy Spirit in sharing the love of God in Jesus Christ to a world in desperate need of healing, justice and peace.
I welcome any comments or questions. Thanks for your time.
In Christ,
Phil, CP