Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

 

Acts 12:1-11

Psalm 34

2 Tim 4:6-8, 17

Matt 16:13-19

 

Saints Peter and Paul, whom we celebrate today, are a study in contrasts.

Peter was with Jesus from the beginning. He frequently fumbled, figured things out, forgot what he figured out, and continued to mess up.  He is oftentimes the target of derisive comments, particularly by theologians, who fail to recognize their own limitations, mistakes, and misunderstanding of Jesus. Peter’s brilliant answer to Jesus' question "Who do you say I am?" makes his denials during Jesus’ trial difficult to comprehend until we recall Peter’s humanity, a sinner loved by God to be sure, but a sinner nonetheless. 

Were we to have been in Peter’s position at Gethsemane or at the Transfiguration, we would not have acted any differently. And many of us would have acted much worse and uncomprehendingly.  Like Peter, we are all flawed.  Like Peter, we don’t always get it.  Had the gospel reading been continued two more verses we would have heard Jesus stinging rebuke of Peter “Get thee behind me Satan” when Peter said “Don’t talk like that.”

Peter’s conversion wasn’t a lightening bolt like Paul’s.  True he left his boat almost impulsively, but he only grew into his role gradually to become the rock upon which the Church was to be built, the rock upon whom the Church stands today through Petrine succession.

Unlike Peter, who left his nets to follow Jesus when he first encountered him, Paul was initially hostile toward those who believed the Good News of Jesus.  It is a hostility that continues in many countries today. Before the lightening bolt threw him off his horse, Paul’s goal was to become the chief persecutor of Christians. He was already very good at it by the time he was given letters to become the equivalent of a bounty hunter of Christians, rounding them up for execution. 

Paul’s intensity is fascinating, no matter if we consider it before or after his conversion. I don’t think Paul was capable of thinking in subtle shades of gray.  Black and white seem to have been the limits of his palette.  Once he came to faith his intensity never wavered.

The beginning of the reading from Acts is horrifying.  Things haven’t changed.  When Herod saw that the public spectacle of capitol punishment pleased the crowds he prepared another production number only to have it frustrated by an angel.  Paul’s goodbye to Timothy is heartbreaking.  It is a testimony of strength, consistency, and hope by a man who knew he was going to pay the price for his faith and preaching.  It would be a blessing were the same words to be in our own hearts and on our lips as we faced death.

Today we celebrate two martyrs who, from an obscure corner of the Ancient Near East ignited the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. As we celebrate this solemnity, we can recall and meditate on the words of the psalmist:

“Glorify the Lord with me,

let us together extol his name.

I sought the Lord,

and he answered me

and delivered me

from all my fears”  

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The photos are from the Carthusian Charterhouse in Pleterje, Slovenia.  Very old house and very large.   

 Fr. Jack, SJ, MD