SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, JUNE 29
OUR APOSTOLIC CHURCH
Today
is the Solemn Feast of the great Apostles Peter and Paul. St. Peter was of course, the head of
the 12 apostles of Jesus, and St. Paul, though not originally with the 12, was
chosen for the great mission of proclamation before the world. We remember today that our Church was
not recently established, nor did it start at the whim of men, nor does it
carry teachings that are mere human inventions. In the midst of many different “churches” that cause
confusion today, we affirm that our Catholic faith is apostolic.
What
do we mean when we say our Church is apostolic? The gospel illustrates how Jesus inaugurated his Church on
the basis of the faith of the apostles, especially of Peter. Peter received the revelation to
proclaim: You are the Messiah, the
Son of the Living God.
Investing
Peter, the “rock”, with a special mission, Jesus entrusted to Peter the “keys
of the kingdom of heaven”.
Thus Peter became the visible head of the early Church and the guardian
of the gospel. Peter died in Rome
while serving the community of believers. Paul, after his conversion, became an
unequalled missionary to the nations.
Establishing churches and writing letters, his life ended in Rome,
beheaded because of his faith. The tombs of Peter and Paul are revered in Rome;
the reason why this is a special place for us. As Catholics, we live the faith that comes from these two
apostles.
We are apostolic in ORIGIN. We trace our faith from the early preaching of the
apostles and from their tireless work for the gospel. The apostles continue their presence through their
successors, the bishops and the Pope. From the time of the apostles, the Lord
has continued to provide shepherds to guide and protect the faith of his
people. At a time when so many
people are starting their own churches here and there, it is good to remember
that our Church stretches as far back as the original companions of Jesus.
We are apostolic in WITNESSING. Many churches around us make a living out of
destroying the reputation of others and misleading the faith of believers. Their teachings are structured around
the slanderous talk about our church.
On the other hand, our church invites us to listen to Jesus in his Word
and through his Church; to make the gospel the guide of our daily life and
relationships. It is the Catholic Church that compiled the Bible. Like the
apostles, we continue to proclaim the gospel out of love and respect for all.
We are apostolic in MISSION. The Church silently serves the family of
humanity. We pray for and serve
people of every race, religion or status.
We are the largest charitable organization in the world serving the
poor. Catholics serve in hospitals
and orphanages, in schools and offices.
We fight for human life and dignity and the integrity of families. We go where we are needed most. Living in the world, we are reminded to
pursue holiness through service of others.
We
celebrate this feast of the apostles and rejoice that God has called us into
his family. May we continue to
commit ourselves to the faith we received from the apostles; the faith that we
must live and share with our families and friends and with all those around who
need to hear a message of hope.
