Peter & Paul

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Paul's words in the second reading (2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18) for the Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul spell out concretely how baptism plunges us into living the paschal mystery. This mystery means dying: "poured out like a libation...competing well...finishing the race...keeping the faith," completing the the proclamation, finding ourselves in "the lion's mouth," having "evil threat[s]." It also, however, means rising, receiving "the crown of righteousness...bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom." The challenge of this solemnity is to take this dying and rising message of Paul (and Peter), and translate it into our everyday lives.

Our "dying" might be staying up all night with a sick child, being willing to go the extra step for someone, being satisfied with less, having God as a priority in our lives, not putting material gains ahead of spiritual gains. Our "rising" may be in recognizing the Risen Jesus in the grateful smile of another, the satisfaction of a job well done (even if no one recognizes it), the inner peace that comes from knowing that our life is on course.

Participants in the Synod on Synodality acknowledged that they had "seen the mark of His wounds transfigured by a new life, yet engraved forever in His humanity. These are wounds that continue to bleed in the bodies of many brothers and sisters, including as a result of our own actions. Looking upon the Lord does not distance us from the tragedies of history. Instead, it opens our eyes to the suffering of those around us, and we are pierced: the faces of war-stricken terrorized children, weeping mothers, the shattered dreams of so many young people, refugees who face terrible journeys, the victims of climate change and social injustice... 'The joys and hopes and the sorrows and anxieties of people today, especially of those who are poor and afflicted' (Gaudium et Spes,1) have been once again the joys and sorrows of all of us, Christ’s disciples" (Final Document, 3).

Peter and Paul were called upon to be leaders in the early Church, and they responded with heroic actions. Our heroic actions might not be as dramatic, but they can make Christ no less present in our own day. This way of living is how and who we are to be. This is how and who Church is; Peter and Paul have shown us the way.