The Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is Sunday, June 29. These are two foundational leaders of the Catholic Church. Jesus built His Church on Peter, whom he called His “rock.” Saint Paul shared the Gospel tirelessly across the Roman World. Let’s take a look at these great saints.
Gospel Text (Matthew 16:13-19)
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “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, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Gospel Insights – Saint Peter and Saint Paul
St. Peter and St. Paul are called “The Great Pillars of the Church.” Each man was essential to the early Church. Jesus chose Peter as “the rock” on which His Church was built and commissioned Peter as its leader. Specifically, Peter was a fisherman, and Paul was an evangelist. Both men had very different skills essential to the early Church.
Saint Peter
In Matthew 16:19, He gave Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” and the power to “bind and loose”. Specifically, Peter made decisions on behalf of the Church through the power Jesus gave him. His leadership is seen in the “Acts of the Apostles” through his preaching and the miracles he performed. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him in John 21:15-17:
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” Jesus then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him, reversing the three times that Peter denied Jesus during His Passion.
Saint Paul
St. Paul, known as Saul from Tarsus, encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. Saul persecuted the Jews and was on his way to Damascus to arrest Jesus’ followers. Saul presided over the stoning of St. Stephen in the Acts of the Apostles. Acts 8:3 states:
“Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church;* entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment.”
While traveling to Damascus, Saul suddenly encountered a blinding light from heaven. Acts 9:3-6 states:
” On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? “He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Paul’s conversion through the encounter with Jesus was essential for the success of the Church.
Let’s celebrate these two great saints on their Solemnity. Please share your thoughts on this article in the “Comments” section.
Peace
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