Solemnity of Ss Peter and Paul, Apostles

Fr Dominic’s Homily

Today we remember the Apostles Peter and Paul. Both were martyred in Rome in the first century it is thought on the actual same day. They worked for the spread of the gospel, not only to the people of Israel, but to all the nations as well. They risked their lives in the process for which they were eventually martyred. As Paul stated in his second letter to Timothy, they courageously fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.

So were St Peter and St Paul heroes? Let’s start with Peter. St Peter is not really the model of a wise and noble hero. He professes faith in Jesus one minute and then blunders into error the next. He refuses to have his feet washed, and then, when the purpose is explained to him, wants to be washed all over. He walks on the water – but then panics and starts to sink. And, of course, he betrays Jesus soon after promising that he never will.

But the choosing of Peter teaches us a lesson. The Church’s foundation stone and its first leader is not all wise, all knowing, good and heroic. He is a very ordinary man who makes about as many mistakes as we do. But he is a good role model none the less.

If St Peter had been a hero, we could easily have despaired of ever becoming like him. If St Peter had been great, and noble, and good, we could have told ourselves that the Church is only for the saints.

But the Church is not just for saints: it is for sinners too. Grace holds the Church together. It is through the very cracks in our strength that the Holy Spirit can shine through. So Peter is a man of great Faith and this is what counts.

To be a truly great leader in this world you do not need to be a hero. You simply need to allow yourself to be human and not focus on your mistakes but rather focus on how you can move forwards.

Now let’s move to Paul. St. Paul is always reminding people of his weakness. But he says “when I am weak I am strong.” Vulnerability is actually a strength and not a weakness because when we empty out our own ego God can fill us with his grace. It’s only when we are leaning on God that he can work through us effectively.

And Paul was very effective at preaching to the non-Jewish, gentile section of the new and growing church after Pentecost.

His preaching was very successful and he brought huge numbers of gentiles into the church. He travelled extensively and endured tremendous hardships.

So each of these two saints is important for different reasons. Peter was the foundation stone of the Church. He was the first Bishop and first Pope in the long line of apostolic succession and kept the church united which was growing very rapidly in the early years of the church.

Paul taught the Jews that Jesus is the fulfilment of their teaching and converted the Gentiles. It is thought that whilst they got on they argued quite often. They were both strong minded people.

Whenever you see statues of Peter and Paul, usually Peter is holding a key, symbolizing his duty as head of the church, and Paul is holding the Bible, symbolizing his preaching. Peter was the leader of the twelve whereas Paul probably never met Jesus. However they were united completely in their faith and mission.

Sometimes you see Peter holding a cross and St Paul a sword as that was how they ultimately died. St Peter was famously crucified upside-down by Caesar Nero because he claimed he was not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as Christ.

Paul was decapitated rather than crucified because he was technically a Roman citizen and this is how you were treated if you were to experience the death penalty. It was supposed to be more dignified than the utter humiliation of the crucifixion.

So what counts is to be strong in faith. In the end, its grace that gives us the courage to bear witness when it counts, grace that gives us the wisdom needed to see difficult situations in the right way, and grace that gives us the patience to persevere and grace that holds the church together.

We see this all in Saint Peter and St. Paul and rather than being heroic figures they are for us great role models in the church that we are able to aspire towards.