HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES (2)




HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES

THEME: Peter was the leader of the twelve, and Paul was the great apostle to the Gentiles.

BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA

 

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Acts 12:1-11
2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18
Matthew 16:13-19

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
Red

*INTRODUCTION*
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the Solemnity of two great saints Peter and Paul, two of the great Apostles of the Lord, courageous and most faithful servants of the Lord.

They came from very different backgrounds. Peter was a fisherman from rural Galilee. Paul was a learned Pharisee from the university city of Tarsus. They died at different dates under Nero who ordered the persecution of Christians throughout the Roman Empire in the 1st Century, they are venerated together on June 29.

*WHO WAS ST PETER ?*
St. Peter was also named as Simon and Cephas. He was a native of Galilee like Our Lord while St. Paul at Tarsus, Cilicia (modern Turkey). Peter was a poor man, rugged, unlearned and far from being a theological expert but candid, eager and loving. In his heart, first of all, his conviction grew and then from his lips came the spontaneous confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!

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*WHO WAS ST PAUL?*
St Paul was also known as Saul. He was a tent-maker by trade and a Talmudic student. He had a different image with that of Peter. He was truly a different personality, smart, refined, learned, gifted with words, alert and far-reaching.
He was a Pharisee making him to believe and do what he thought was the truth.

*WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THESE GREAT TWO APOSTLES?*
Even if they are different they are needed in the Church because both of them are complementary with each other. We need stability (St. Peter) and mobility (St. Paul). Both gifts are needed and that is what makes it important to see these ways as like the body parts all working for one. We are a community of persons and some of us like to travel to and fro as missionaries and yet some of us like to stay at homes.

*CONCLUSION*
Dear Friends in Christ, just as the Lord called Saint Peter and Saint Paul in different ways, we are also called in many different ways to follow the Lord throughout our lives. Let us not ignore the call of the Lord. Let us listen to his call and answer generously. Like Saint Paul, let us fight the good fight, racing towards the finish line, while persevering in our faith.

*LET US PRAY*
Lord, you founded the Church on Peter the Rock and named Paul Apostle to the Gentiles. Help me to appreciate my role in the Church as well. By your grace, may I spread the Kingdom and be a fruitful member of the Church.
St Peter and Paul, Pray for Us.

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