Greatness of St Peter & St Paul

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twelfth Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Jn 21:15-19*

*First Reading : Acts 3:1-10*

*SECOND READING - Gal 1:11-20*

*Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul*

*Greatness of St Peter & St Paul*

*1) Two Pillars of the Church*

Christian tradition calls and honors them as two great pillars of the Church 

We know the importance of the Pillars. Pillars have deep foundation and on which the entire building is constructed

This image tells us the power of pillars and the need of it 

Church as a huge building built on these two great pillars which are very strong. 

No power on earth can destroy these pillars. Because these pillars are errected on Christ, who is the founder of Christianity

*2) Two Lanterns Burning for Christ*

We can't live in darkness. Darkness leads to many evil things 

St Peter and St Paul being the lanterns, burning for Christ, show us the right way as we move forward

The light from these lanterns not only show us the way, but also help us to know the reality, to differentiate good from bad 

The light from these lanterns have a divine quality, which help us to know Jesus better and to grow in our spiritual life 

*3) Apostle of Jews & Apostle of Gentiles*

Both these are great apostles 

One is the apostle of Jews and the other one of Gentiles 

Church is the mixture of Jews and Gentiles. So these two apostles play a very important role in the body of Jesus 

As a apostle of Jews, Peter strengthened the faith of His own people 

As the Apostle of Gentiles, Paul spread the Good news of Jesus to the entire world and to every one

*4) Two great Martyrs*

Both these become great martyrs 

Both sacrificed their life for Jesus and for the Church

The blood of these great martyrs, became the seed of Christianity

Blood symbolizes the Life. Their blood is the Vibrant life of the Church, which continues and grows even today  

*5) Peter is Rock, Paul is the Builder*

Peter was a name which was given by Jesus to Simon 

Peter means *Rock* on which Jesus built His church

Paul is the modern builder of the Church because of His two missionary journies and spreading and building the Church beyond Jerusalem, especially among the Gentiles 

So Paul is a great beginner and founder of the church in the Gentile land. Therefore he is a great builder

*6) Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul*

We see here the change of Name 

Peter was a name given by Jesus 

Paul was a name which he adopted after the encounter of Jesus on the way to Damascus

The Change of Name also indicates the Great Change in the Person 

Such a great change we see in Peter and Paul 

By changing the name, the mission, the vocation of the person also changes 

New name reflects the new personality

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*