Saints Peter and Paul

Today, the Church celebrates two of her well-known apostles, Peter and Paul. To celebrate the Solemnity of the two apostles on the same day seems strange. They had their own ways of proclaiming the Gospel, Peter to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles. Peter was a fisherman from Galilee while Paul grew up in the cosmopolitan city of Tarsus. Peter knew Jesus personally, was called by Him and lived with Him during His public life. Paul on the other hand, persecuted the first Christians and converted only after being carried away by emotions. Peter could be called conservative while Paul would fit more into the category of “liberal.” Both gave their life for Christ in Rome. Both suffered immensely on account of their loyalty to Christ. Peter was crucified, like Jesus and Paul, being a Roman citizen, died after being pierced by a sword. Although Peter and Paul had differences, they complimented each other. The Church needs both the conservative attitude of Peter and the expansive drive of Paul. The Church would have remained a Jewish sect in Jerusalem if not for Paul’s drive to preach to the Gentiles. The gifts of God are given to persons not foe their needs alone but for the service of the common good and for the building up of the Church.