SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL. 29.06.2020.

Readings: Acts 12:1-11; Psalm 34; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 and Mathew 16:13-19. 

OUR ANCESTORS IN FAITH: THE TWIN FOUNDATIONAL “PILLARS OF THE CHURCH” IN ROME. 

 

We realize many of our ancestors fought so hard so we could have the opportunities we have today, we appreciate them for the sacrifices they made for us and we learn from them the lessons for today. Today we celebrates the Solemnity of two most influential icons in the history of the Church (Saints Peter and Paul), who gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel. In relation to this that Tertullian said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of Christianity.” We have benefitted from it, can future generation benefit from us?

 

These two outstanding Apostle shed their blood for the Church of Christ to grow. There is a traditional story about Peter’s death in Rome during the persecution of Nero. When he heard about Nero’s plan to burn the city and blame the Christians Peter knew that the Church leaders will go in first for it and be put to death. Humanly speaking, he did what is sensible, got ready to leave the city at night along apian way. While attempting to leave the city, Peter saw someone coming in the opposite direction, heading back towards the city, someone who even at night seemed familiar. “Where are you going, Lord?” asked the bewildered Peter. “To Rome,” was the reply, “to be crucified again, in your place;” and on hearing this, Peter turned around and returned to Rome, where he died as a martyr. On the side of Saint Paul, less was said about his death; however, he was imprisoned and executed in Rome during Nero’s suppression of the Church in the mid-60’s of the first century.

 

Today’s liturgy calls us to reflect and give honour to these twin foundational leaders of the Church as seen in the readings. From the Gospel, Mathew present Christ and the Apostles as an institute of learning. He present Christ like a teacher who has taught His Apostles for three academic years and it was time for their final exams. As a teacher, Christ presented to them, two questions only. First, he asked, “Who do men say the Son of man is?” They were giving porous answers, saying John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets. It was a general question and the answers were of that like. Then he gave the second question of their exams, which was particular. He asked, “Who do you say that I am?” We can imagine how they must have cracked their brains to answer this question before a revelation came to Peter, when he said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is what singled Peter out from the other disciples, his God-given insight into the identity of Christ. It was because of his unique insight that Christ gave him a unique role among his followers. He is to be the rock, the firm foundation, on which Christ will build his church. Christ further spelled out his role, when he gave him the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

 

The image of the keys suggests authority. The nature of that authority is expressed in terms of binding and loosing. This is probably a reference to a teaching authority. Peter is being entrusted with the task of interpreting the teaching of Christ for other members of the Church. This position equally led to his arrest and was rescued by the angel of God from the hands of Herod as seen in the first reading of today.

 

While Peter is associated with his teaching authority, the second reading associate Paul with the gift of preaching. He was a great preacher and missionary, he preached without fear even to pagan territories and the city of Rome where he was martyred. Just as the angel of God delivered Peter from the hands of Herod, Paul was rescued from the lion’s mouth as he expressed it in his second letter to Timothy on his defense before the magistrate, “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the word fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it.” In this letter, he expressed the good fight he has fought, the race he has ran to finish and the expectation of the crown of glory. The image of the fight and the race suggest that “keeping the fight” was a struggle for him, it was not easy for him neither was it easy for Peter, but the grace of God was sufficient for them.

 

Dear friends in Christ, it was not easy for our ancestors in faith, neither will it be easy for us if we truly desire to follow Christ, let us not be the Christian that only desire the crown but not the cross. Remember the words of Christ, “If you want to be my disciple, pick up your cross and follow me.” Hence, the best way to honour the twin foundational “pillars of the Church,” is to treasure the faith that they have taught, and pass it on as best we can to others. Invariably, we all have responsibility as regard this. May God give us the grace to fight this battle and run this race to the end through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you!

 

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ.