Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles, Solemnity
Acts 12:1‐11
2 Timothy 4:6‐8,17‐18
Matthew 16:13‐19
Spes non confundit – hope does not disappoint. With these words from the Letter to the Romans, Pope Francis proclaimed the Holy Year 2025. We are in the middle of this Holy Year of Hope. An essential element of every holy jubilee year is the pilgrimage to Rome, to the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul. Some of you may have already had the opportunity to go on pilgrimage to Rome in this Holy Year. Others may still be planning a pilgrimage.
However, today we are celebrating the solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul. An ancient feast that was first celebrated in Rome in 354. The tradition of jubilee years has only existed since 1300, but even before that, visiting the tombs of the two greatest apostles was associated with the hope for salvation and redemption.
But why make a pilgrimage to St Peter and St Paul if you hope for salvation?
Jesus built his church on the foundation of the apostles. The Lord said to Peter: ‘You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ As long as the church rests on the foundation of the apostles, it will not perish. Until the end of time, it will convey salvation through the sacraments instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ. And evil will never overcome it.
We too can trust in this firm hope. Peter and Paul are also our firm pillars. The pilgrimage to Rome gives a vivid expression to our hope of salvation in the power of Christ, conveyed through the Church.
In their own lives, Peter and Paul were able to experience the saving and redeeming power of Christ, conveyed through the Church. We have heard about this in today’s readings.
Peter was arrested by King Herod out of pure political calculation. He expected that he would suffer the same fate that had already befallen James the brother of John: being killed with the sword. But the young church prayed to God for Peter. And God sent his angel to rescue him from the hands of Herod and lead him to freedom. Here we see how important intercessory prayer is in the church.
In his letter to Timothy, Paul describes how the Lord helped him and saved him from all dangers because his mission of preaching the gospel had not yet been completed. The mission of preaching the gospel to all people is the main purpose of the church. And those who contribute to the fulfilment of this mission can count on God’s help. Here in this life and in the life to come. St Paul is convinced: ‘The Lord will rescue me from all evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom.’ He knows that the ‘crown of righteousness’ is laid up for him. But not just for him, but for ‘all those who have longed for Christs Appearing’. In other words, for the whole Church. Here we see how important it is to remain faithful to the Church and actively participate in its mission.
Peter and Paul experienced that Jesus Christ is always with his church, supporting and helping it. He gave them the strength to powerfully proclaim his word. If we look to their example, then also we can draw hope from it.
For it is by no means true that Peter and Paul were such strong heroes of faith right from the beginning. Peter once denied the Lord three times. And Paul once persecuted the young church mercilessly. From these two great sinners, Christ formed the pillars of the Church.
When we look at how weak we are, how unstable in our faith, and how little we have done for Christ so far, we could easily lose heart. But the example of Peter and Paul gives us hope. We too can hope in the great mercy of the Lord, which was powerfully manifested in his apostles. The Church conveys this mercy to us.
Let us confess, with St Peter and the whole Church, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God!
Let us fight the good fight with St Paul and the whole Church, let us finish the race, let us keep the faith!
Saint Peter and Saint Paul – pray for us!
