Homily: June 29, 2025, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

 From the first reading, Peter said: “Now I know for certain that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting.”

From the second reading, Paul said: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.”

Peter and Paul.

Distinct characters but one heart and mind.

Different persons but together in mission.

Two apostles but one Lord and Master.

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the two pillars of the Catholic Church, together they make up the foundation of our Catholic teaching. Among the many disciples of the Lord, we know more about Peter and Paul, thanks to St. Luke, who recorded their stories and events in the Acts of the Apostles. The first half of the book was focused on Peter, the other half on Paul.

When we look closely at them, we immediately see many differences, but why does the Church celebrate them together on the same feast day?

Paul was a charismatic and bold preacher. From the beginning, he was open to proclaiming the Gospel to the Gentiles. His heart burned with the desire that all nations and peoples would hear the Word of the Lord and be converted.

Peter, on the other hand, was more reserved. As head of the Christian community, he was deeply committed to preserving sacred tradition and to guarding the orthodoxy of the faith. He was pastoral, careful, and dedicated to what had been handed down.

Distinct characters but one heart and mind.

Simon was named Peter when Jesus declared him the rock on which the Church would be built and handed him the keys of the Kingdom. He represents the traditional aspect of the Church.

Saul was renamed Paul when Jesus gave him the mission to preach to the world beyond the Jewish circle. He represents the missionary aspect of the Church.

The Church cannot exist with one without the other. Peter and Paul together is the foundation, together they hold up the Church.

Different persons but together in mission.

As we look at them closely again, we also discover many similarities. Both began their first sermons with reflections on Psalm 16. Both defeated sorcerers. Both raised people from the dead. Both were miraculously delivered from prison. Both suffered but embraced martyrdom in Rome. And most importantly, both preached the same Christ and the same Gospel.

Two apostles but one Lord and Master.

But what strikes me most is this: they were both painfully aware of their weaknesses.

Peter would never forget the night he denied Jesus three times. That moment of failure humbled him for the rest of his life. Paul, who once persecuted the Church, also carried the memory of that darkness within him.

Their dark past did not disqualify them, nor handicapped them, instead the Lord used that to form and build them up. Their sinful past became a channel of grace, their weakness became the window for strength.

Paul wrote: "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9).

"God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27).

"We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Like everyone of us, they were normal men with common weaknesses. But they became powerful apostles because they dedicated themselves totally to the Lord and allowed the strength of the Holy Spirit to work through them fully.

Peter and Paul’s weaknesses assure us that we too can become powerful disciples if we dedicate our lives totally to the work of the Holy Spirit like they did.

Peter and Paul’s differences tell us that there is no one fixed model of discipleship, every one of us in our distinctive characters and personalities can become effective witnesses of Christ.

Peter and Paul stand before us, not as perfect men, but as transformed men. Not as superheroes, but as redeemed sinners. In them we see clearly what God can do with a heart that is willing.

Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us.

Amen!