REFLECTION FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF STS. PETER AND PAUL, YEAR C.
By Rev. Fr. Sylvanus Ifeanyi Amaobi
(1st Reading, Acts 12:1-11, 2nd Reading, 2 Tim. 4:6-8,17-18; Gospel, Matt. 16:13-19)
Dear brothers and sisters, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).
THE PILLARS OF OUR FAITH
Today, the Church celebrates the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. They were two of the most outstanding apostles who, through their preaching and writings, took the message of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth and especially to the gentile world. They significantly contributed to the spread and growth of the Christian faith. They suffered persecution and hardships and died as Martyrs for their faith. We can truly call Peter and Paul the pillars of the Christian faith and the Church.
PETER'S CONFESSION OF FAITH
In the Gospel, we read of Peter's confession of faith and his revelation of Jesus Christ's identity. To Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am"? Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Peter's answer became fundamental in understanding the identity of Jesus Christ, an answer that Jesus said was not revealed by flesh and blood but by His heavenly Father. Thus, Peter's confession of faith was pivotal in establishing the primacy of Peter and the foundation of the Church – "You are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18).
Peter took seriously the role of tending and shepherding the flock entrusted to him by Jesus Christ (both in the episode of today's Gospel and in the Tend My Lambs and Feed My Sheep episode) as recorded in the Gospel of John, Chapter 21, verses 15 to 17. He did this by continually preaching and defending the faith, even in the midst of persecution and imprisonment.
Acts of the Apostles 12:1ff is one of the passages that records Peter's imprisonment and is today's first reading. According to the passage, after James, John's brother, was killed, Peter was arrested, kept in prison, and secured by double chains. Even though Peter was miraculously released from jail through the intervention of an angel, he nevertheless suffered some hardships and challenges as a result of his imprisonment.
POURED OUT AS LIBATION
St. Paul was a surprise apostle, one whose apostleship was unexpected. He referred to himself as "one born abnormally" (1 Cor. 15:8) and as "the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle because he persecuted the Church of God " (1 Cor. 15:9). St. Paul, then known as Saul, was a well-known persecutor of Christians, whose name struck terror into Christians. However, his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus had a profound impact on the early Church. He transformed from a persecutor of Christians into a leading apostle, especially to the Gentiles.
St. Paul's conversion led to the widespread dissemination of Christian teachings beyond the Jewish community and also shaped Christian theology and spirituality. He was so devoted and committed to the apostolic ministry that he toiled harder than the rest of the apostles (1 Cor. 15:10) and gave it all.
Writing to Timothy, as we read in the second reading, St. Paul stated that he is being poured like a libation. To be poured out as a libation means a giving of oneself without reserve, to be sacrificed, to be offered, to give it all. Less wonder, he stated confidently that what awaits him is the crown of righteousness, which the Lord would give to him and all those who have longed for His appearance.
These great apostles were like us, human and frail, but their faith in Jesus Christ became the source of their strength. We can make it to heaven if we continue to look up to them and follow their footsteps and examples.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!