Jun 29 – Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles
Peter (c.1–64) was a professional fisherman. He was the brother of St. Andrew the Apostle, the man who led him to Christ. Given the name Simon, he was renamed “Peter” (rock) by Jesus to indicate that Peter would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built. He later became a bishop and was the first pope. He was also a miracle worker.
Paul (c.3–c.65) was a Jewish Talmudic student and a Pharisee. He was a tent-maker by trade. Saul the Jew hated and persecuted the Christians as heretical, even assisting at the stoning of St. Stephen the Martyr. On his way to Damascus, Syria, to arrest another group of faithful, he was knocked to the ground, struck blind by a heavenly light, and given the message that in persecuting him, causing his conversion to Christianity.
He was baptized, changed his name to Paul to reflect his new persona, and began travelling, preaching, and teaching. His letters to the churches he help found form a large percentage of the New Testament. He knew and worked with many of the earliest saints and Fathers of the Church. He died a martyr for the faith.
- Patron Saint Index
Acts 12:1-11
2 Tim 4:6-8,17-18
Mt 16:13-19
“You are Peter and on this rock, I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…”
Today we celebrate Saints Peter and Paul. These two forefathers of the Church are instrumental in what we know as the Catholic Church today. Of course, it is Christ who built the Church. Jesus is the head; the Church is the body (don’t confuse this with the Eucharist which is the Sacred Body of Christ).
The two Saints were very instrumental in building up the Church — they are servants of Christ, spreading the Word and shepherding the lost sheep. We, in turn, are the lost sheep that need to become the servants of Christ. I never truly understood this concept until recently.
As a cradle Catholic, I go to church most Sundays, say my prayers, try to observe the Ten Commandments, do bible studies; in my mind, I am performing all the duties of a Catholic. What more could God possibly want from me?
That is human or worldly thinking. It is not a duty, but a blessing. If I look at my behaviour in the light of Christ, what I see is lacklustre and terribly insignificant. Yet, I was so proud of my ‘show of faith’. What has been lacking is a heart for evangelization, a heart for service; in short, a heart full of love – the love of Christ.
Saint Thomas Aquinas said that “love is willing the good of others as others”. The ultimate good in this world and all worlds is God. He is the ultimate Good, Joy, Peace and Happiness. Knowing our limitation and short attention span, Jesus gave us short and simple commandments: Love God and love your neighbours as yourself. How can I say I love others if I won’t share the best thing that ever happened to me?
Imagine if Saints Peter and Paul acted like I did, loved Jesus selfishly and were not willing to share what they had found with our Lord – peace, joy, salvation and eternal life. What if the apostles did that, who would then spread God’s Word? Where would we be now as the lost sheep?
Perhaps because we ceased to be witnesses for Christ, ceased to serve others, ceased to love others by sharing with them God’s love for all; we are witnessing the erosion of Church attendance. We are fearful to stand up to popular opinion and to step out of our comfort zone and only ‘clear the snow in front of our house’. If we only have a portion of the faith that Saints Peter and Paul did, what amazing things will God do through us?
Brothers and sisters, while we rejoice in God providing us Saints past, present and future to guide and lead us, let us strive to become more like them, helping to guide others to our Heavenly Father.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)
Prayer: Our most merciful Lord, please grant us the grace of faith and the courage to serve and witness for You. May we love like You love, without counting the cost and for the good of others.
Thanksgiving: Our most gracious Lord, thank you for the institution of the Holy Catholic Church, for giving us the apostles and the saints to guide us, to inspire us to know our Heavenly Father, to love and worship Him more deeply, and to truly appreciate all that our God has done for us.
OXYGEN 
Leave a comment