Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. The Readings for the Vigil Mass[1] and the Day Mass are different, thus helping us to explore various facets of the feast and enjoy a richer liturgical experience. The Vigil Mass provides a broad overview, while the Day Mass offers specific insights into the lives and teachings of the two foundational figures of the early Church.
The Day Mass delves into the lives and ministries of the twin saints. In the First Reading (Acts 12:1-11), we see Herod’s persecution of the fledgling church. This was Herod Agrippa I, who ruled as king over Judea. He was the grandson of Herod the Great, who was on the throne when Jesus was born, and a nephew of the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, Herod Antipas, who beheaded St John the Baptist.
Here, Herod is seen persecuting the early Christians, executing Zebedee’s son James the Great, and imprisoning Peter. But, miracle of miracles, the angel of the Lord visited Peter in jail and walked him out. The city’s iron gate opened to them of its own accord, and with Peter now in a safe zone, the angel left him without ado. All along, Peter thought he was seeing a vision, until he exclaimed: ‘Now I am sure that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’
The day’s Reading ends here, but the story continues with Peter meeting his fellow men huddled in prayer at the house of St Mark the Evangelist. He described to them how the Lord had brought him out. The angel’s intervention had been a direct response to the church’s fervent prayers for Peter’s release. He requested them to inform James, a leader in the Jerusalem church. Then Peter departed and went to another place. And when day came, there was no small stir among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. A frustrated Herod ordered that the soldiers be put to death and died shortly thereafter, struck by an angel for accepting praise as a god.
While all this is believed to have happened in the year 44 AD, a decade or so after Our Lord’s Ascension, the Gospel text (Mt 16:13-19 covers a much earlier, ground-breaking episode in Peter’s life: his profession of faith. When Jesus posed the question, ‘Who do men say that the Son of man is?’, to Peter, He was unmistakably ‘Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Recognising that his answer came by inspiration from God the Father, Jesus answered: ‘And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.’
Words of great import. They conferred primacy upon the son of Jonas, and set on him His Church, a name mentioned for the first time. Simon, the weak mortal of flesh and blood, was now destined to brave all assaults of Hell. Jesus assured him of the same stability that He gave to His Church, transmitting the privileges of Peter to his successors seated in the Chair of Infallibility and holding in their hands the Keys of supreme authority. They would give laws and guide kings and peoples, pastors and their flocks in the path of salvation; they would open and shut the gates of the celestial Kingdom.[2]
But these splendours were not free of troubles. Peter, the first Pope, endured persecution for the sake of the Church. Similarly, St Paul had his share of struggle and pain. But both persevered to the end. Hence, St Paul’s exhorted his people to preach the Word of God in and out of season, foreseeing that ‘the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths’ (2 Tim 4: 3-4).
How true, especially in our days, when ‘sound teaching’ is sometimes scorned for its directness. So, we go about our petty lives feeling just listless and complacent, if not revolted. But then, to keep up with the Joneses, we might find ourselves a cosy nook and turn to teachers who will whisper sweet nothings and never ruffle feathers. And as if these false teachers weren’t bad enough, we might even ‘wander into myths.’ These are now part of New Age movements that the Church cautions us against.
The Apostle to the Gentiles in the Second Reading (2 Tim 4: 6-8, 17-18), after speaking of his impending martyrdom, famously says: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’ He can legitimately hope that the Lord will award the crown of righteousness to him and to all who have waited for His appearing.
All of which brings into sharp focus a psalm for deliverance from trouble (34:2-9), which the afflicted will hear and be glad. It invites us to trust in the Lord at all times, to look to Him and be radiant, to taste and see that He is good! It comforts the afflicted to know that ‘the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.’ Hence, happy is the man who takes refuge in the Lord. Like St Peter and St Paul, we too must strive to be models of such faith and courage.
Banner: The Virgin and Child with Saints Peter and Paul, by Girolamo Figino
[1] Acts 3:1-10 (Peter and John healing a crippled beggar); Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5 (Their message goes out through all the earth); Galatians 1:11-20 (Paul’s conversion and preaching); John 21:17 (Jesus asks Peter if he loves him); John 21:15-19 (Jesus reinstates Peter).
[2] Cf. l’Abbé C. Fouard, Jesus Christ the Son of God (Goa: Don Bosco, 1960), p. 258.
Excellent commentary like usual dear Oscar. All the best to your inspiring weekly blog. God bless.
Thank you, dear Alwyn. This weekend I had the opportunity to reflect on the personalities of Sts Peter and Paul and on the Mass Readings as well. It’s always a pleasure to do so. Regards.
My dear Primo
I am happy to hear you once again explaining the word of God. May God bless you.
We all are mortals and can be assaulted by the forces of Evil. When we become its victims your words on these two saints can become like beams of light house that lead us to the shores of heaven.
I am glad that you have referred to my favorite writer Abbe Fouard. As Fulton Sheen was like a star that guided us during the tumultuous days of the Cold War, so was Abbe Fouard a warrior of the last days of the XIX century that were influenced by the “Enlightenment” of the previous century and fell in the web of atheistic socialism and free thought.
Every age has its heroes and Peter and Paul too!
Rosary the simple prayer can save us and our souls and the world too now and forever.
Thanks a lot for your troubles and patience for delivering us words of wisdom.
Dear Primo Ricardo, I’ve finished reflecting on the three cycles of Sunday Mass Readings. The blogposts are always available for those who go back and check them. God willing, I’ll now try and write on other topics related to our Faith. Thanks for being a regular and committed reader of my blog and do continue to keep me in your prayers. Um abraço.
It was pleasure of reading your insightful and inspiring article, “Models of Faith and Courage.” Your eloquent exploration of the lives and teachings of Saints Peter and Paul truly brought their stories to life. The depth of your reflections on the Mass Readings and the historical context you provided enriches understanding and appreciation of these foundational figures of the early Church. Your ability to weave together scriptural insights with historical details and personal reflections is amazing. The way you highlighted the perseverance and faith of Saints Peter and Paul amidst their struggles was particularly moving. Your writing not only educates but also inspires readers to strive for greater faith and courage in their own lives. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and for your dedication to spreading the word of God through your blog. Your work is a beacon of light and hope for many. May God continue to bless you and guide you in your endeavors.
Many thanks for your kind words, dear Noel. Ever grateful to God for the opportunity and ever happy to share. God be praised. Thank you for your prayers.