Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul. They each had a special calling by Christ in the evangelization of the Church he began. Even though all Disciples of Christ are personally called to action, Saints Peter and Paul were called to lead the charge after the death of Jesus. First Peter was called to focus on the Jews and then Paul to step it up a notch to include the Gentiles. Of course Jesus is our primary example of how we embrace the evangelization of God’s children, but Peter and Paul demonstrate how God’s call to be Disciples of Christ, which includes us, can be lived after Christ’s death and resurrection.
Peter was flawed, like all of us are. He loved Jesus but when put to the test when Jesus was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, he denied Jesus, not once but 3 times. Peter was afraid of being tortured and put to death. I am sure we would have been just as afraid as Peter was if we were faced with the same circumstances. But yet Jesus, prior to Peter’s denial of him, had told Peter, as stated in the Gospel today, that he was the rock on which he would build his Church. Why, because Peter believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Because he truly believed, he was able to overcome his deep personal sorrow and internal turmoil of his denial of Jesus, he was able to embrace Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness, he was able to live up to what Jesus knew he was capable of.
It was made clear in the First Reading that Peter was under the watchful eye of our loving Lord. The will of God for him had not yet been fulfilled, and God’s hand protected him from the evil that surrounded him. Even what seemed impossible, such as Peter’s escape from prison, came to pass. Peter’s time to be martyred would come, but only when God willed it.
Paul was gifted with a strong passion to honor God with tenacity. It was seen in how driven he was, at first, to eliminate what he believed to be a blasphemous cult who were the followers of Christ. Jesus flipped him. This same deep desire and passion to honor God was redirected to spread the good news of Christ after Paul was enlightened with the truth through Jesus appearing to him on the road to Damascus and both figuratively and literally knocking him off his high horse. By Jesus temporarily blinding him, he was made to see Jesus in a new light.
In the Second Reading Paul knows that his life will end in martyrdom on God’s terms. He states in the reading: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.” The safety he is referring to is his spiritual safety. Our physical bodies are transitory. He like Peter came to understand that their martyrdom will be at the appointed time according to God’s will, not anyone else’s.
Peter and Paul’s example of how they lived up to God’s call is meant to be a beacon of light for us, a challenge for us to live up to what God knows we are capable of, even in our weaknesses and imperfections. We too will someday be
called home to the Lord, most likely not as martyrs, but be assured that it will be according to the will of God. It does not mean that we will not suffer. Suffering is part of sharing in the sufferings of our Lord. We celebrate Peter and Paul today whose life ended at the hands of misguided people. This also happens to modern day disciples. But a key point is their life journey. Their life led them to rejoicing in giving up their lives being a part of continuing Christ’s mission.
Where are we in our life journey? Have we recognized the love of Jesus active in our lives? Have we done things that need forgiveness like Peter and Paul? Jesus forgave them, he’ll also forgive us. We all need to have this revelation to move on in the fulfillment of God’s will for us. Maybe you still have doubts regarding whether or not Jesus would forgive us our sins. Don’t fall into the Judas trap where you believe you cannot be forgiven.
We know that both Peter and Paul were forgiven for their sins against Jesus. But there are those that wonder about Judas who betrayed Jesus, if he could have been forgiven for what he did. The direct answer is, yes, he could have been forgiven. The issue with Judas is that he despaired. He believed that even God could not forgive him and therefore he would be condemned. This is giving power to evil over the power of love. This is attributing the Holy Spirit’s action to the devil, where the devil only wants our destruction. The Holy Spirit would never want our destruction, the Holy Spirit is the love expressed between the Father and Son. To attribute the Holy Spirit’s actions to the devil is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. This is called the unforgivable sin. This was where Judas went astray.
God would never want our destruction. He died for our salvation. There is nothing we cannot be forgiven for. This is the example of Peter and Paul. Peter denied Jesus and Paul persecuted him. Paul hunted down and imprisoned and killed children of God. Peter and Paul were forgiven and lived to be all that God called them to be. This can be our story. We can also be forgiven our sins, no matter what they are. Never despair. God loves us no matter what. Believe God has a plan for you. Believe that you can be all that He calls you to be.
We are not Peter or Paul, but we are Disciples of Christ. We are personally called by Jesus to bring his message of love to everyone. God wants us to be all that He wills us to be. You too like Peter and Paul can be forgiven, you too can fulfill the will of God for you, you too can receive your heavenly reward. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you to fulfill God’s will for you, and be amazed at what you are capable of achieving with God’s love being your driving force. With the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, which you received through Baptism and Confirmation, and being fed by the Word of God and the Eucharist, nothing is impossible. You can be all that God has made you to be. Pray for God’s will for you to be done, and allow God’s love for all people to be experienced through you.