Homily: June 29, 2026, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (Fear of God)

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 "The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him."

Today's Responsorial Psalm is so assuring and is so apt for today as we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Both were faithful and fervent Apostles who had a deep holy fear the Lord - not like the fear of a slave, or being afraid of God, but a loving and reverent fear like that of an obedient child before a righteous and perfect Father.

Having a fear of the Lord is the seventh gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a gift, not something we can earn or obtain on our own, but freely given to us at baptism, connecting us to God with deep respect and love, with a conscience to never want to offend the One who loves us so much.

Peter and Paul did not always have this gift. If Peter had possessed this holy fear from the beginning, he would not have denied Jesus three times. Paul, before his conversion, persecuted Christians because he did not yet know the living God. Without knowing God, he could not truly fear Him.

But everything changed after they encountered Christ. After Pentecost, Peter’s disposition was completely changed. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he desired to live only for Jesus and to fulfil all that His commanded.

Likewise with Paul, after his powerful encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus, he dedicated every moment of his life to Christ and His mission only.

After their personal encounter, Peter and Paul became fearless before the world because they had only Christ in their minds and hearts. Nothing in the world could distract them from their mission to serve Him alone, not even the threat of death, suffering and persecutions.

As St. Paul himself wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Their love for Jesus was unshakable, stronger than any pain or sacrifice.

They believed firmly what we proclaimed in today’s psalm: "The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him."

God indeed rescued them - not by sparing them from hardships, but by giving them the strength to remain faithful until the end and by leading them safely into His heavenly kingdom.

Today, we continue to look at Peter and Paul with awe. Their total dedication and commitment to the Lord model for us how we can live our Christianity. They are truly the two great pillars of the Church.

Let us hold on to the Lord’s assurance that "the angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him", like Peter and Paul did, so that we too can dedicate our lives totally, faithfully and fearlessly to the Lord.

Amen.


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