Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Scripture Readings (Mass During the Day)

Today is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Both men contributed greatly to the proclamation of the Gospel in the Roman Empire. They influence the Church today especially in St. Paul’s letters and St. Peter as the first pope. Nevertheless, both were imperfect and seem to be unlikely candidates to be leaders in the Church. 

For instance, Peter was an illiterate fisherman and a commoner. He often got Jesus’ message wrong. If we continue reading after today’s Gospel in chapter 16 of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do,” (Matthew 16:23). He also denied Jesus three times during the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. Paul was educated and a Pharisee. He persecuted followers of Jesus and his conversion didn’t happen until he became blind. Learning about their lives reminds us that those who are called to serve in the Church aren’t perfect and that the Christian call to spread the Gospel doesn’t require perfection. Perhaps we can see our flawed selves in them. They can inspire us to receive God’s strength to follow Christ and do what God calls us to do.

Both men answered the question Jesus posed to his disciples in today’s Gospel, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This question is central to Christian discipleship. To live out the Gospel like Peter and Paul, we should answer this question too. Who is Jesus to us? What is God’s role in our lives? May we be inspired by Sts. Peter and Paul in the way they lived their lives centered on Jesus Christ.

—Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI