The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul - Year C

This week the Church celebrates yet another solemnity - The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Unlike some of the other recent celebrations, this one is not affected by the date of Easter. It is celebrated every year on 29 June, and as it falls on a Sunday this year, it takes precedence over the Sunday liturgy.

In the first and second readings from Acts and Timothy we see first Peter and then Paul imprisoned for their faith. In the former, Peter is set free to continue the work of proclaiming the Gospel. In the latter, Paul is reflecting on his ministry aware that his time is almost at an end. What ties both of these stories together is the faith and conviction of both men to serve God, understanding but not fearing the consequences of doing so - a sentiment that is captured in the refrain of the psalm, "The Lord has set me free from all my fears."

Where does this confidence come from? In the reading from Matthew's Gospel we find ourselves at Caesarea Philippi, at the temple of Pan surrounded by the many pagan gods whose images are carved into edifice of Mount Hermon. There in the face of the multitude Jesus asks the disciples. 'Who do you say I am?'

Peter's response that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, is the truth. You are what these idols are not. You are the real God. The one in whom we trust.

It is the Spirit that has moved Peter's heart to speak these words. Words that he does not yet fully understand. But it is that openness to the Spirit that will guide Peter, will guide Paul, and will guide the Church down through the ages to what is right. Today, it is that openness to the Spirit that inspires the Church to have faith in the conclave that its chosen successor of Peter will be the right leader for the Church now.

So why do we celebrate these two very different men together?

Peter is a symbol of the Church's stability, the long-held tradition of teaching and worship that has been passed down for two thousand years. Whilst Paul, a symbol of its mission to go out and embrace an ever-changing world.

Together they represent the two essential faces of the Church - one that holds to our faith, and the other to take it to the margins. And this is why they are usually depicted either embracing each other or upholding the Church together.

As we celebrate these two founding figures of our faith may we follow the example of both of them - to remain planted firm in our own faith, and willing to proclaim it openly to others.

And like Peter and Paul, willing to embrace those whose way of responding to God's call is different to our own.

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