Homily, June 29, 2025 ,Feast of St. Peter and Paul
From The Pastor
The role and effectiveness of Saints Peter and Paul are undeniable in the spread of Christianity. In this modern age with the decline of faith in several regions of the world, we are blest to recall and celebrate the faith and courage of Saints Peter and Paul. In our time as a first world nation, the challenges we face against Christianity are quite different from the trials faced by these great Saints. As they faced resistance, betrayal, and persecution for their witness to the faith, we face the slow boil of secularism, consumerism, and relativism, with increasing social divisions.
Today’s feast has been celebrated on June 29th since the middle of the third century. Radically different worlds, but the same Christ, the same profession of faith, and the same hope in the promise of eternal life. The advances of technology with its impact on personal relationships, social communications, consumerism, and social interaction inclusively, it is no wonder the language and images of faith fall on distracted ears and divided hearts.
From the first reading, how can you miss the action of God through the work of an angel to rescue Peter from certain death. This account is corroborated by the lived experience not only of Peter, but those who received him and gave him safe passage away from harm. It is an incredible story of the evidence of the Resurrection in the work of the Holy Spirit accomplished through an angel. The account should deepen our trust in the provident care of God when we face situations beyond our control or ability to resolve.
Consider the boldness of Peter’s faith and his conviction of Jesus risen from the dead now present and active in the work of the Holy Spirit. Far from the impulsive ego of Peter the fisherman, Peter the disciple has passionately given his life over to Christ without fear or resistance. From the fear of the Upper Room, Peter has allowed and accepted the transformation of the Holy Spirit that inspired him to give bold witness to Jesus as the Christ. In the end, it would cost him his life. Saint Peter was crucified upside down around the year 54 in the persecution of Nero. The work of Saint Peter was indispensable in the development of the Church. Despite his imperfections, Peter can be a great model for all who seek the gospel of Christ for his deep love for Jesus and his unwavering persistence in serving the gospel.
The faith and conviction of Saint Paul mirrors that of Saint Peter. This is not to say they had similar natures or backgrounds. Unlike Peter, Paul was highly educated and on a path of his own convictions for the faith until the Lord himself intervened. Both Peter and Paul experienced profound conversions, yet each in a very different way. Peter followed the Jewish Law; Paul glorified the Law as the principle and highest order of faith. God could hardly let all this zeal go to waste. To redirect Paul, Jesus chose a stunning intervention that transformed the heart and mind of Paul for the service of the gospel. Peter lived with and effectively grew up with Jesus. Saint Paul never personally met the Lord until his encounter on the road.
Flooded with an encounter of the Holy Spirit, Saint Paul was transformed into the greatest evangelist the world has known. Paul had his own style of ego that became the conviction and commitment of his life in the service of Christ. He suffered for his convictions, rejected, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned; Paul was beheaded around the year 64 in Rome, under the persecution of Nero.
As with Peter and Paul, we are challenged with the same question Jesus addressed to the twelve apostles. We are familiar with the question and it is one that every mature Christian must answer. And you, “who do you say I am?” To say with depth and conviction that Jesus is the Christ of God is life- changing. This is not a one-time altar call. To mature in faith that moves to action and engages the whole person, the question must be asked at regular intervals. The question may come to the fore while at prayer, at times of great joy and gratitude, at times of loss, crisis, or persecution for the faith. I can only imagine the number of times Peter and Paul revisited the question as they walked in the steps of Jesus.
Consider how your faith has been enriched, strengthened, or challenged by the epistles of Paul or the letters of Peter. If you love your faith and want to grow closer to Jesus read these parts of the New Testament. Give thanks and praise to God for the bold faith and witness of Saints Peter and Paul.
Father John Esper
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