Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Since the 4th century the celebration for these two saints has occurred on the same day.
On this Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, we remember their courageous response to Christ’s call and the mighty ways God worked in and through them.
We also remember that we have also been called by Jesus. We find inspiration for our calling in the lives of these saints so we can be bold instruments of God’s love in the world.
As Christians we are disciples of Jesus. But we can’t be Christians just by ourselves. By our baptism we became members of God’s family. God’s family is a community of believers, the body of Christ, the Church. Jesus said that He would build His Church on the rock of Peter’s faith. It was Peter who first boldly proclaimed that “Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. (Matthew 16:18)
The Greek word for “church” is ekklesia, This Greek word refers to the assembly of people who belong to the Lord by their profession of faith and by being baptized. As followers of Jesus, we are Christians, and we belong to Jesus’ Catholic Church.
The roots of this word “ekklesia” mean “those who have been called”. We, the Church, have been summoned by Jesus, called and invited into a special relationship.
The readings this Sunday remind us that this call asks something of us.
Like Peter, Jesus is asking us, “Who do you say that I am?”
Like Paul, Jesus is asking us “to pour ourselves like a libation” for His Church. Jesus is calling us to compete well, finish the race, and keep the faith.
In this call we know that God will give us all we need. God will stand beside us and lead us to freedom, and He will rescue us from all who oppose His perfect will. He will stand by us and give us strength, just as he did for Saint Paul.
In a sermon in the year 395, St. Augustine of Hippo said of Saints. Peter and Paul: “Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered [martyrdom] on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so, we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles' blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.”
We have been called and sent by Jesus as members of His Church. Our God, who worked mighty deeds for Saints Peter and Paul, speaks to us in Scripture and gives Himself to us in the Eucharist. It is through His Word and the Holy Eucharist that we find the strength for our calling. Saints Peter and Paul pray for us.
Deacon Michael Braun