29 June, 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time:
Some notes on Today's Solemnity:
1. As early as the year 258 AD, there is evidence of an already lengthy tradition of celebrating the solemnities of both St. Peter and St. Paul on the same day. Together, the two Saints are the founders of the See of Rome, through their preaching, ministry and martyrdom there.
2. Peter, who was named Simon, was a fisherman of Galilee and was introduced to the Lord Jesus by his brother Andrew, also a fisherman. Jesus called them to be "fishers of men" (Mt. 4:19). John's Gospel has Andrew following Jesus first and bringing Simon to him. Jesus gave Simon the name Cephas (Jn. 1:42) which is Petrus in Latin or "Rock." In Mt. 16-19, Jesus said to him: "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." Jesus gave the keys of the kingdom of heaven, with powers of binding and loosing.
3. Peter was the first to recognize that Jesus was "the Messiah, the Son of the living God." He eagerly pledged his fidelity until death. But despite his boldness, he lost faith when walking on water with Christ and betraying the Lord on the night of his Passion. Still, the Lord chose him to shepherd his flock.
4. The Acts of the
Apostles illustrates his role as the head of the Lord's flock after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. For a decade in Jerusalem, he preached, performed miracles, and converted many. He then travelled to Rome, established the Church there and became its first Bishop. He spent his last years in Rome, leading the Church through persecution and eventually being martyred in the year 64 AD during Emperor's persecution. Tradition says that he was crucified upside down, saying that he was not worthy to die as his Lord. St. Peter's Basilica is built over his tomb.
5. St. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. Through his Letters, we learn about his life and the faith of the early Church. His name was Saul and was a Roman citizen from Tarsus, in modern day Turkey. As a young man, he studied at the rabbi Gamaliel's school in Jerusalem. He was a Jewish Pharisee and zealously persecuted the Christians in Jerusalem. He was present at the martyrdom of St. Stephen (Acts 7:58).
6. His conversion took place as he was on his way to persecute the Christians in Damascus. As he travelled, he was suddenly surrounded by a great light from heaven. He fell and was blinded. Then he heard a voice, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He answered, "Who are you, Lord?" Christ said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9:4).
7. Saul continued to Damascus, where he was baptized and his sight was restored. He spent three years of prayer and study. Eventually, he returned to Jerusalem. Using his Roman name, Paul, he spent the remainder of his life preaching the Gospel tirelessly to the Gentiles of the Mediterranean world.
8. Imprisoned for a couple of years, he was taken to Rome for trial and met up with Peter. According to tradition, he was beheaded outside the city in the year 67 AD. He is buried in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
9. Sts. Peter and Paul are the Church's foundational pillars. Peter, the first Vicar of Christ, represents the Church's leadership, stability, and unity. Paul represents the Church's mission of evangelization through his missionary journeys. He is the Church's first theologian for his Letters that expound on the Gospels.
St. Augustine of Hippo said of Sts. Peter and Paul, "Both apostles share the same feastday, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles' blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith."
10. According to a well- established custom, on this day the Pope confers the Pallium on the Metropolitan Archbishops appointed during the past year, as a sign of communion with the See of Peter.
11. Prayer -- O God, you give us the noble and holy joy of celebrating the solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Through them, your Church first received the faith. Grant, we pray, that your Church may in all things follow their teaching, through Christ our Lord. Amen (Collect of today's Mass, modified).
Prayers, best wishes, God bless!