Jesus said to the twelve, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.”
Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
13th SUNDAY Ordinary Time Cycle C
Today we celebrate Saints Peter and Paul. Even on Sunday the Lord’s day of Resurrection we are allowed to celebrate these two because they are great to be considered as the two pillars of the Catholic Church. In fact, if you go to Vatican you will be greeted first by their colossal figures, Peter on the right holding the keys and Paul on the left holding the sword.
St. Peter was the first pope who led the Church in its most trying times of Christian persecution. He was crucified upside down on the exact spot where the basilica now stands.
St Paul, in four missionary journeys, spread the good news of Christ in all of Asia Minor as evidenced by the many epistles he wrote.
Big pillars at the end of their lives but great sinners too at the start.
Peter arrogantly promised the Lord that he would never leave yet had denied Him thrice. Paul pursued Christians imprisoning them all be they children or adults, men or women.
This reminds us what once was said, “Sinners have a future. Saints had a past.” This should also encourage us to convert our own selves no matter what situation in our lives we are now in. This too should make us more patient with others who up to now are far from God and the church.
Like the late pope Francis, let us be good shepherds looking for the lost sheep, the least brethren and the last person.
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