Today we honor the two greatest Apostles, Sts. Peter and Paul. St. Peter is the rock on which the Lord built his Church and St. Paul is the tireless and fearless messenger of the Gospel to the whole world. These two giants of the faith represent the Church’s solid foundation and her universal mission: her double task of preserving the true faith and sharing it with all nations. To this day, Peter’s mission continues through the ministry of the Pope, and Paul’s mission continues whenever and wherever the Gospel is proclaimed. Both Peter and Paul, after long years of service, were martyred in Rome under the Emperor Nero. They put into practice the words of Jesus, “Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Mt 16:25). Peter was crucified upside down and Paul was beheaded.
Today’s Liturgy focuses on the unique mission of each man. The first reading and the Gospel are about Peter and the second reading is about Paul. Peter stands out for many reasons, one of which is that he is the first of the Apostles to profess openly that Jesus is the Messiah. In today’s Gospel Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They give a variety of answers. Jesus goes on to say, “But who do you say that I am?” It is Peter who responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus declares, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.”
This is a decisive moment in the history of salvation, a moment of revelation. The crowds do not know who Jesus is, and even the Apostles may not be sure, but at this moment the Father reveals to Simon Peter Jesus’ true identity. Immediately after this, Peter’s own identity is revealed: he is the “rock” and the keeper of “the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.” Jesus entrusts to Peter a role of authority that extends over both heavenly and earthly matters.
The special grace of faith and authority that Peter received did not prevent him from sin. We know that he fell miserably when the Lord was arrested during the Passover; three times he denied even knowing him. But he recovered and became a rock of strength to support the faith of everyone else (cf. Lk 22:32). Peter learned not to rely on himself but to entrust himself totally to the mercy and saving power of the Lord. It is this power that protects and guides the Popes – saints and sinners – throughout history.
One of the occasions that confirmed Peter’s confidence in the Lord was the miraculous way by which he was rescued from Herod’s prison. It was once again Passover, but this time, he did not resort to lies to save himself. Fasten with double chains, he waited in darkness, expecting to be executed just as James had been. He was ready to accept this in faith and he offered his life to the Lord. However, he was taken by surprise by an angel who led him out of his impossible predicament. There was no need for him to save himself, for the Lord saved him. All Peter had to do was follow.
St. Paul also learned to follow the Lord with whole-hearted faith in his power and mercy. Before his conversion, Paul thought he was capable of making himself holy. In his Second Letter to Timothy, he looks back on his long service as an Apostle and testifies that it was not his own work or strength at all but the Lord’s: “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.” Paul, writing from prison, does not know if he will be rescued by an angel as Peter was, but he declares with great confidence, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.”
Peter and Paul did not proclaim their own greatness; rather, they testified to the saving power of God, fully confident that “the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail” against the Church. We need to have this same confidence today as the Church goes through troubled times. This faith is the gift the Apostles hand on to us today. We too have been rescued from imprisonment in the impossible condition of sin. We too are called to rely on the Lord in faith rather than on ourselves. This is the only way we can be spiritually fruitful.
When have I totally relied on myself and not on the saving power of the Lord? What can I learn spiritually today from the witness of Sts. Peter and Paul? Why do I sometimes not trust fully in the mercy and love of God for me?
Excerpt from The Anawim Way, Volume 21, no. 5. More information about The Anawim Way may be found here.