Saints Peter and Paul, guiding all who followed Christ in the earliest years of the Christian faith
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul, Apostles / Mass during the Day (June 29, 2021): ACTS 12:1-11; PS 34:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9; 2 TM 4:6-8,17-18; MT 16:13-19
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” (Acts 12:8)
This feast day recalls the faithful life and dedicated work of Saints Peter and Paul. They are joined in the history of the Church because of their vital importance in guiding all who followed Christ in the earliest years of the Christian faith. Jesus had selected Peter as the rock of His Church. Yet the Gospels reference his emotional outbursts and lack of understanding. In the end, Peter displayed the steadiness of purpose and devotion to our Redeemer needed to steer the young faith community. Christ continued to look after Peter’s welfare as seen in the first reading today. After he was arrested, an angel of the Lord was sent to release him. “Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf.… Peter, secured by double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers.… Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him.… Then he said to him, ‘Put on your cloak and follow me’” (Acts 12:5-6, 8).
Paul, originally Saul of Tarsus, was an educated and devout Jew. Not only had he not been a disciple of Christ, he did all he could to destroy the early Church. But he finally embraced the faith when our Lord Himself spoke to Paul on his way to imprison more Christians. From then on he was as staunch in spreading the story of Jesus’ message of mercy and redemption, as he had been opposed. Paul concentrated on working among Gentiles, particularly in Asia Minor. Although Peter and Paul rarely met, they share the distinction of building up the Church of Christ that has thrived for two thousand years. Letters from both appear in the New Testament. They were martyred within a few years of each other in the 60s A.D. in Rome. St. Peter was crucified upside down at his own request so that he would not die in the same way at Christ. St. Paul was beheaded. With their lives and deaths, they served Christ and His people.
Suggested missionary action: Let us turn to Saints Peter and Paul to guide all of the Church’s missionaries. And we can also seek their help for ourselves in following the way of Jesus every day.