Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul Acts 12:1-11; 2Tim 4:6-8, 17-18; Matt 16:13-19

Dear brothers and sisters, today we are celebrating the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul even though their personalities and missions were so different. This feast day commemorates the martyrdom of the two great Apostles assigned by tradition to the same day of June. Although Saints Peter and Paul probably died at different dates under Nero who ordered the persecution of Christians throughout the Roman Empire in the First Century, they are venerated together on June 29. St. Augustine of Hippo (late 4th century) says in his Sermon 295: “One day is assigned for the celebration of the martyrdom of the two apostles. But those two were one. Although their martyrdom occurred on different days, they were one.” They had been imprisoned in the famous Mamertine Prison of Rome and both had foreseen their approaching death. There must be a reason why we celebrate both the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, a reason other than Peter and Paul. It is because we already have a feast in honor of the Chair of Peter on 22nd February. We already have a feast in honor of the Conversion of St. Paul on 25th January. Peter and Paul, in their lifetime they did not work so closely together. Why do we celebrate this feast to honor them both? How can we compare these two super apostles? It is like these:

 St. Peter was also named as Simon and Cephas. St. Paul was also known as Saul. St. Peter was a native of Galilee like Our Lord while St. Paul at Tarsus, Cilicia (modern Turkey).  St. Peter was a poor man, unlearned and far from being a theological expert but honest, eager and loving. In his heart, first his conviction grew and then from his lips came the spontaneous confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”  And St. Paul was a tentmaker by trade. He had a different image with that of Peter. He was truly a different personality, smart, refined, learned, gifted with words, alert and far-reaching.  St. Peter was a simple fisherman and the brother of Saint Andrew, the Apostle who led him to Christ. St. Paul was a Pharisee. St. Peter was renamed ‘Peter’ (or rock) by Jesus to indicate that he would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built. He was the Prince of the Apostles.

 St. Paul is the Runner of the Race because he was on the move: the act of being mobile in the world, of extending the Kingdom to the gentile world which was the most important decision ever made in the Church  St. Peter was called directly by Jesus and given “the keys of the kingdom” (Matt 16:16-18). He is portrayed in icons carrying the keys. On the other hand, St. Paul probably never met Jesus face to face. He was once a persecutor of the church and his conversion came about through a vision on the road to Damascus.  Saints Peter and Paul were so different that St. Peter was surnamed the Apostle of the Jews and St. Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles. Both died as martyrs. St. Peter crucified with head downward because he claimed he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Christ. St. Paul was excused from crucifixion and died through beheading. Both died in Rome, Italy.

Both Peter and Paul come to see that Jesus is not simply a way to live life. Even if they are different, they are needed in the Church because both are complementary with each other. Just as the Lord called Saint Peter and Saint Paul in different ways, we are also called in many ways to follow the Lord throughout our lives. Let us not ignore the call of the Lord. Let us listen to his call and answer generously. Like Saint Paul, let us fight the good fight, racing towards the finish line, while persevering in our faith. May God continue to bless us all. Amen.