Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Today's Mass Readingts

Today we celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. These two men are so important to our tradition that their feast is ranked a “solemnity,” the highest designation that the Church has. While both men were instrumental in passing on the Christian faith and were leaders of the early Church, they are an unlikely pair, different in many ways and known to have disagreed at one time. Peter is regarded as the first pope, the rock on whom the Church was founded. Paul is known as the Apostle to the Gentiles and the author of most of our New Testament. Where as Peter was a personal witness of Jesus, Paul had never seen Jesus and began as one of the persecutors of the Church. But for both Peter and Paul, belief was only a beginning. They grew in faith, changed with time through conversion became undaunting witnesses of Christ. One attribute that both share is that they made tremendous sacrifices as disciples of Jesus. The readings chosen for their feast seems to highlight this theme. In our first reading we hear the story of Peter’s imprisonment by King Herod, and in our second reading Paul describes himself as having been poured out like a libation. Both men endured great suffering for their lives as Christians. They struggled to live as Christians, and when they succeeded best they found themselves persecuted.

At the same time, however, both realized that their ultimate reward was not earthly success or conventional earthly happiness. Their blessing was the reward of eternal life, and that promise made it possible to endure great suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ as their lord and savior. Today’s psalm tells us that “The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him” (Ps. 34:5). And indeed, this is the lesson of our first reading regarding Peter. He is rescued from prison and freed.

On the other hand, Peter’s escape was only temporary. Following his rescue, Peter continued to preach, convert, and baptize until his death as a martyr. The eternal rescue is much more than an escape from prison. It is redemption or salvation, and it is this that Paul indicates in his letter: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safely to his heavenly Kingdom” (2 Tm 4:18).

As we meditate today on the lives of Saints Peter and Paul, we might reflect on the both the sacrifices and rewards of discipleship. As Christians, we may stand out for our faith and even be ridiculed. But as Christians, we also may be gifted salvation if we participate in Christ’s salvific mission. Let us reflect on our ultimate goal and be willing to take on the sacrifices required by our faith.

- Maria Morrow