There is an old
story about the death of St. Peter in Rome during the persecution of Nero.
Peter heard about Nero's plan to burn the city and blame the Christians. He
figured as the one who presided over the church in the city he would be
arrested and put to death. So he did the sensible thing - Peter was always a
sensible man - he got out of town, and at night. The Appian Way was dark for
awhile as Peter snuck down it. However, as the night wore on the sky was
illuminated by the flames rising from the city. Peter hurried on and eventually
was far enough away from the city that it was dark again. Then he saw someone
coming in the opposite direction, someone who even at night seemed familiar. It
was the Lord himself. What was he doing out at night and walking towards Rome? “Where
are you going, Lord?” Peter asked him. “To Rome”, Jesus replied, “to be
crucified again in your place”. Peter turned around and returned to Rome and
according to tradition was crucified there.
Though this story
does not agree with what is narrated in the first reading of today from the
Acts of the Apostles, in which we are told that Peter was imprisoned, it does
agree with what the Gospels narrate about Peter’s denials, and brings out an
important facet of the meaning of the feast: Jesus did not choose strong, brave
and courageous individuals to continue the work that he had begun. He chose
weak, frail and cowardly humans. He chose individuals who would falter and
fail. This is the Peter who confessed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the
Living God” and to whom the Jesus handed over the “keys” of the Church, knowing
full well that there would be times when the lofty confession would turn into a
base denial.
Paul’s conversion
story is narrated twice in the Acts of the Apostles and Paul himself speaks of
it in some of his letters. His commission as an apostle of Christ began with a
divine revelation of the identity of the Lord Jesus. He reports the events
surrounding his recognition of Jesus as the Lord of glory and his appointment
as apostle to the gentiles. Felled to the ground by a brilliant light from
heaven and hearing a reproachful voice addressing him by name his first need
was to know who it was who broke into his life with such awe-inspiring power. Just
as Jesus told Peter that he would assign to him the charge of leading his
Church once the Peter recognized his master's true identity, so also Paul's
task was given to him only after Jesus revealed himself as the glorified Lord.
The apostles'
mission thus grew out of their loving knowledge of the person of Jesus, the Son
of the living God. Their work, indeed their whole life, was to follow from this
surpassing knowledge of Christ which became the basis of all their dealing with
others. They were given to the whole Church to teach us not only what Christ
revealed and taught but also how to live as he himself had put into practice
the things willed by the Father.
Today
we marvel at the transformation of these previously weak human leaders. Peter’s
newfound passionate commitment to his Lord and to the fledgling church resulted
in his imprisonment. Paul too was jailed. He did not see this as failure, but
as the destiny that was his in consequence of his commitment to the Gospel. He
had fought the good fight, he had run the race, and he had kept the faith. He
faced death, and he knew it. That was the price they had to pay for their commitment
and fidelity to the Lord.
Their
personalities were very different, their approaches to spreading the Faith were
very different, and their relationships with Christ were very different.
Although the two were both Apostles, there were moments of disagreement and
conflict between them. And yet, they are bound together on this single feast,
as they were bound together by the one Faith, confessing the one Lord, shedding
their blood for him and his mission of peace, justice and love.
Within the recent past, the church
has been tossed to and fro in storms of controversy. Not one storm, but many
storms, and not in one country, but in many countries. It has been the target
of fierce persecution from without, and it has also allowed evil to corrupt it
from within. Whether in circumstances of harassment or scandal, the lives of
many have been diminished, their confidence undermined and their faith tested.
Without minimizing
the suffering in our current situations, we should remember that dire trials
are really not new to the church. From its very beginning it has faced
opposition. The first reading for today’s feast describes one such situation.
Despite its
trials, however, the church has survived and even flourished. This is not due
to the strength and holiness of its members. Though Jesus told Peter that the church
would be built upon him, the church’s real foundation was and continues to be
Jesus Christ its Lord. He is the one who commissioned Peter; he is the one who
assures the church of protection. He is the one who stood by Paul and gave him
strength to bring the Gospel to the broader world. The church may have been
built on Peter the former denier and spread by Paul the former persecutor, but
it is the church of Jesus Christ, and it will endure because of his promise.
Today we celebrate
the fidelity of Peter and Paul, sinners like us all. Initially, they were both
found wanting. When they eventually repented, they were forgiven by God in
Christ. Though they were victims of persecution, their commitment to Christ and
to the church made them heroes. Their victory is evidence that the gates of
hell shall not prevail. Their victory is evidence that we shall indeed
overcome.
"The Audacity to Hope" by Rev Dr Errol
ReplyDeletesuper super blog Fr.
ReplyDeleteYou know I personally love these characters. They teach me to be humble and always wanting the Good lord to work in my life.
Thanks once again
Ruthi M
ruthidsouza@yahoo.co.in