Ss. Peter and Paul were chosen by Jesus to point the way for His Church in the early years after He returned to His Father in heaven
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul, Apostles (June 29, 2022): Acts 3:1-10; PS 19:2-4,4-5; GAL 1:11-20; JN 21:15-19
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
"Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (John 21:18)
Today we honor the two saints most responsible for building up the early Church of Jesus Christ. They actually spent little time together and were known to have had some disagreements, yet they served our Lord in their own singular styles, showing the way for Christians both in steadiness and in outreach. St. Peter was a faithful Jew, a fisherman, and probably illiterate. He could be emotional, even impetuous. When Jesus called him, Peter immediately followed. In today’s Gospel, we see him with several other Apostles and Jesus. It is the third meeting with our Savior since His Resurrection, only a matter of days since Peter had denied Him three times after His arrest. Christ asks if Peter loves Him. He says he does. Christ repeats the question and Peter gives the same answer. “Peter was distressed that (Jesus) had said to him a third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ and he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. … Follow Me’” (John 21:17-19). Jesus does more than forgive Peter’s denials. He confirms his place as the first among the Apostles. St. Peter is indeed now the head shepherd of Christ’s flock, the first pope.
As the Church grew and claimed new members we hear about Paul. A devout Pharisee, trained by the learned rabbi Gamaliel, he probably spoke and wrote Greek in addition to Hebrew. Paul was a tentmaker by trade, but was so passionate about punishing disciples of Christ that he actively persecuted them. Then, Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus and everything changed. Paul became a devout follower and turned his energies to sharing the Good News among Jews and, especially, Gentiles on three missionary journeys around the Mediterranean area. He also wrote letters that have influenced the Church to this day. After years of service to Christ, Ss. Peter and Paul were martyred in the mid-60’s A.D. in Rome. We can celebrate them today by praying for the Church, Pope Francis, today’s missionaries and those they serve.
