HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF SS. PETER AND PAUL
Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi
On this day, we celebrate the twin founders of the Church in Rome. St. Peter was a fishermen who was made the leader of the Church by Christ himself. He was made the rock on which the Church is built. He died by crucifixion in Rome around the year 64. Paul was the Pharisee who persecuted the early Church. He was converted by Christ himself and was made by the Holy Spirit the “apostle of the Gentiles.” He was later on martyred by beheading in Rome around the year 67. Both witnessed to Christ with their lives. It is then clearer now that It is not by birth but by their mission identity that they are celebrated today as twins. They are the two great apostles of mission. Peter had the mission to preach the Gospel, especially among the Jewish communities. Paul became the chosen instrument of God to bring the Good news to the whole world. Their martyrdom in Rome and their devotedness to preach Jesus were by no means the only similarities between these two great apostles.
In their spiritual journey with the Lord, both experienced the gratuitous compassion and forgiveness of the Lord. Peter denied the Lord three times; when he asked for pardon, he was forgiven. Paul persecuted the early Christian community, and on his way to Damascus was called, converted and forgiven. They are fathers in the faith. Not only did they explain and hand over the message of Christ to us, they also teach us by their lives that great people might not start as saints. They only require to embrace the divine calling to conversion and to tap into the immensity of God’s mercy while striving relentlessly to maintain that grace of conversion. Saints are those who recognizing their weaknesses and frailty draw great strength from the abundant mercy of God and strive to keep the strength alive and burning in them through their lives. They do not give up even when they see themselves failing because they trust that when they are weak, they are strong (2 Cor. 12:11).
In the First Reading (Acts 12:1-11), we experience how Peter the Apostle was rescued from disgrace and shame of his persecutors. The last sentence of the reading made it very vivid: now, I am sure that the Lord has rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting. They were expecting Peter to be a symbol of shame and disgrace; to be ridiculed and killed so as to appease themselves. Herod noticed that he gained fame and popularity when he killed James, the brother of John. But as he was making his plans to use Peter as a source of firm and popularity, God was making plans to use the situation as a source of glory and testimony upon the life of his apostle, Peter. Peter was imprisoned by Herod for possible murder when he thought that the killing of James was pleasurable for the people. He needed their allegiance. One could see how ungodly it is to play with the life of any human being on account of a selfish aggrandisement or ambition. Many lives have been destroyed because of the pride of place we allude to our personalities, positions of power or level of learning. Sometimes, we might be inclined to think of the pleasurable end without thinking of the monstrous means. We might also prefer to achieve what we desire by whatever means available. It is a great temptation to look only towards the end without considering the means. And we need to guide against such temptations.
As Herod imprisoned Peter, the Christians were in deep prayers for the life of Peter, and the Lord intervened. The prayers of the Christian communities could do great wonders. Imagine how nice it could be to pray for one another and to identity with our members that suffer. Faith brings us together and gives us the one voice in prayer that is able to storm heaven and provide deliverance to those among us in need of it. How often do we offer prayers for the sake of persecuted Christians all over the world? The prayer of the community is efficacious. The rescue/deliverance by the angel of the Lord made Peter grow more in the consciousness of a God who loves and delivers. It made him more zealous for the Gospel. When we show solidarity and compassion, offering masses and prayers for those who suffer, we might not be aware of the type of solid faith we help to build in them.
In the Second Reading (2 Tim. 4:6-8), Paul spoke in very fulfilled way. He has fought a good fight of faith. He has preached to all people. He has converted many. He has also been shown great compassion by the Lord. According to Him: the lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the word fully...I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. When we are with the Lord, we are sure of redemption. Like Peter, Paul also experienced the deliverance of God. The Lord rescued Paul and was with him throughout his mission to the Gentiles. Paul was delivered to continue witnessing. But what can we say to be the content of the preaching of Paul? It is found in the answer of Peter in the Gospel (Matt.16:13-19): you are the Christ the son of the living God. The apostle preached Christ who Himself was the kingdom of God made man. He preached the reign of this kingdom both on earth and in heaven. That was why he was sure that he fought to establish this kingdom on earth, and thus was given the ticket for the heavenly one. What the answer of Peter suggests is that by preaching Christ, we become blessed; blessed by the God who inspires us (for flesh and blood has not revealed this). We also become rocky, strong enough to be built on and to crush the power of Satan (and the gates of hell shall not prevail). The third is that our words become highly prophetic; enough to bless and liberate those who are in the bondage of sin (whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven).
These readings show how God rescues and guides His followers; those who witness to him. And the more we are delivered, the more we should witness. That is why every Christian needs to pray like the Psalmist: from all my terrors, the Lord rescues me (Psalm 34:5b). May the Lord continue to give us the strength to tap into the riches of his redemption, love and compassion, especially when we pass through troubling moments in our faith. When we see ourselves so weak, may the Lord help us to see in Him the great strength to not give up. Amen. May Saints Peter and Paul pray for us. Amen. Happy Feast Day to me and to all. God bless you.
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