SAINTS PETER AND PAUL APOSTLES June 29, 2025

Readings:   Acts 12.1-11 2 Timothy 4,6-8, 17-18  Mt. 16.18

The great Saints Peter and Paul exemplify to us that even if we are different and even if we have disagreements, we can still live and work together in the Church and we can find reconciliation one to another through God’s grace and love, that is, if we are willing. Often times the only thing that stands in the way of us being truly reconciled one to another is a conscious choice to be humble and to say with heartfelt meaning to those who offend us the two words that literally BURN the devil: “Forgive me.”

Today’s feast also reminds us that we cannot live our Christian life alone. Peter was one arm of the Body of Christ and Paul the other, both of which the Lord used to build a foundation which stands rock solid to this very day. They were like the Sun and the Moon, providing the light for the Church Day by day, for almost two millennia. Enough can not be said concerning the two greatest Apostles that the Church and the world has ever known. And yet, they both had been exceedingly humbled by circumstances in their lives and thereby also became two great examples of repentance.

St. Peter denied the Lord not once, but three times. The Church has always considered apostasy and denial of our Savior Jesus Christ to be an offense of incalculable magnitude. However, Peter by his sincere repentance, was re-instated after the Lord’s Resurrection and was empowered with the Holy Spirit. The once fearful disciple became a Light to the world and even died for his faith around the year 67 A.D.

We recall that St. Paul persecuted and even killed Christians before he received His call from on high, when he saw the Lord in the blinding light that darkened his eyes but enlightened his soul. Both teachers and luminaries had two essential wings by which they flew to heaven: the first, the life giving repentance for their past sins. And second, the real contact they had with the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ which gave them a life-giving faith in His True Divinity.

Let us therefore all strive to imitate their repentance and their life-giving faith, which will enable us to conquer the world as well. May we see in their relationship our own reconciliation with one another in the Church: knowing that it is always possible through Gods grace to walk hand in hand even if we don’t always see eye to eye, so that united by the love of God, we will be able to proclaim with one voice the Life Giving Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

                       Happy Summer  & Happy Canada Day !