C Cycle – Feast of Peter and Paul Apostles 25

Mt. 16:13-19

Today the church has us focus on these two great apostles to honor them and celebrate their role in salvation history.  Each of them, though different, were of one mind, dedicated to the proclamation of the gospel. They were so successful it is easy for us to overlook how much their lives can teach us about our own obligation to proclaim the gospel.  As men they could not be more different in personality, education, temperament, and status.  Yet, God chose them despite their differences.

Peter was a poor fisherman who had only the basic education of the Tora which was given to all Jewish males.  He would be the equivalent of a public school kid, attending a PSR Sunday class preparing him to receive the sacraments with only a basic knowledge of Catholicism.  He like so many of today’s youth receive no faith formation after they are confirmed.  Paul on the other hand, would be compared to a kid who attends a Catholic school from kindergarten through High School. Continued his education in a Catholic college where he continued taking courses in theology.  Paul was nurtured in faith and became a Pharisee taught by the great pharisee Gamaliel.

Peter, when initially confronted by Christ, declared his sinfulness and requested Jesus to depart from him.  Paul response to Christ was to stand firm in his righteousness declaring Christ a blasphemer.  Peter, we know became a disciple and during his three years with Christ, his dependence on the law to define his relationship with God was challenged by Christ.  The religious foundation Peter depended on for was challenged by Christ.  Yet he had no doubts in his mind that Jesus was the promised messiah.  We can look at any story in the scriptures involving Peter and Christ and you will discover how Peter struggled with a total reliance on Christ for his salvation.   

What we can learn from Peter is our own need to stop depending on our own ability to please God and begin to surrender to God’s will.  To take that step of faith and get out of our comfortable boat.  We need to realize how we have developed an unchangeable routine and are comfortable with our faith. We can learn what Peter learned and that is God desires we become dependent on something less tangible – surrender our will to His.   It is the ultimate sacrifice God desires, our hearts not our sacrifices.  If we do that, we can like Peter physically do something impossible and probable – bring healing to those who seek the healing touch of God. 

Perhaps it is time we consider what God will do with us if we like Peter and Paul would begin a journey with Christ.  That can happen if we begin to believe the stories in the scriptures are happening today.  You should read the gospel stories involving Peter and Paul.  As you do, mentally place yourself in their place and feel what they are feeling, speak what they are speaking.  Allow the Spirit to gently guide you into surrendering your heart to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.  Allow yourself to be transformed, to grow and to worship in spirit and truth. 

Paul on the other hand rejected the widespread belief that Jesus was the Messiah and declared Jesus was a blasphemer.   The scriptures never have Paul present during any of Christ’s teachings or have him witnessing a healing. His journey to discipleship was not one of listening to or questioning Jesus.  Not until Christ appeared to him, spoke to him, and blinded him on his journey to Damascus.  None of Paul’s education prepare hm for that encounter with Jesus. But his education did create a dependency on his intellect and will power to strictly follow the law.  Following his encounter with Jesus, his encounter with the Holy Spirit was no less transformational.  Not much different than Peters was on Pentecost.  The Holy Spirit opened Paul’s understanding of the ancient prophecies and God’s promise for the redemption of sin.

Two men with totally different backgrounds shared one faith and one belief in the promise of God to send a Messiah.  That Messiah would free them by removing the barrier of sin created by sin.  Peter was called by Crist to be the rock on which the church would be built.  Paul would become a powerful force proclaiming Jesus Christ and establishing communities of believers who would become disciples continuing the mission of Jesus Christ. 

They show us how we can embrace our own call and our own differences. How different gifts are important in the church’s vitality.  Through them God’s teaches us how we are called is vastly different.  It is personal and we should learn at a minimum the importance of the Holy Spirit in our willingness to say yes.  This feast day should make us consider our own faith formation and how hard it is to discern the will of God.  It should make us wonder how if we are too comfortable and unprepared to become any more than participant, unprepared to become disciples. Wonder if we are prepared to answer the question “who Jess is to us.”    

This summer I encourage you to read one gospel and as you do, focus on the life of Peter. Read Acts and focus on the life of Paul.  Then ask God to pour His spirit upon you and reveal how you are gifted to become missionary in your practice of the faith and evangelize one person to embrace Christ as Lord.