Homily for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

St. Peter distinguished himself from the other disciples due to his divinely inspired recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. This insight led Jesus to grant Peter a unique role among His followers, designating him as the "rock" upon which He would build His Church. This was a significant responsibility, as Jesus entrusted Peter with "the keys to the Kingdom of heaven," which implied authority to interpret matters and make decisions. However, despite his essential position, Peter had flaws; he once tried to dissuade Jesus from following the path of the Cross and later denied Him. Jesus chose to entrust a crucial role to someone not without faults.

While teaching is associated with St. Peter, preaching is linked with St. Paul in scripture. St. Paul spread the Gospel to the pagans throughout the Roman Empire and delivered his final sermon in Rome, where, like St. Peter, he was martyred for his faith in Christ. In a moving passage, likely written from his prison cell, St. Paul stated, "I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith." This imagery of competition and racing highlights that "keeping the faith" was a struggle for St. Paul, just like for St. Peter.

Maintaining faith is not always easy for any of us. St. Paul's words reveal his understanding that his ability to keep the faith was not solely due to his efforts; the Lord empowered him. He stated, "The Lord stood by me and gave me strength." The Lord strengthens and empowers all of us to maintain our faith. His faithfulness enables us to remain faithful, and His love encourages us to return to Him, even after we stumble. The faithful witness of Saints Peter and Paul ultimately serves as a testament to the Lord's faithfulness towards us all.