Homily For The Solemnity Of Ss. Peter & Paul, Year C.

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Acts 12:1-11; Psalm 33:2-9; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18; Matthew 16:13-19. 

“FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·       Today, the church celebrates the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. These two great men are commonly referred to as the fathers or foundations of our Christian faith. While St. Peter is known as the Apostle to the Jews, St. Paul, on the other hand, is known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.

·       On the writings, teachings and ministries of these two great apostles stands our Catholic faith. They both laboured tirelessly to the point of shedding their blood for the faith. That is why our vestments today are red - the symbol of martyrdom.

·       The readings of today point to the fact that both Peter and Paul could not be said to be early comers to faith. St. Peter was originally a fisherman. St Paul was busy persecuting Christians. But once they encountered Jesus, they never looked back but worked tirelessly for God.

·       In the first reading (Acts 12:1-11), we read the account of the great persecution of Christians. Some were killed, others were imprisoned, including St. Peter. The chains of the prison bars could only hold Peter captive, but not the message of the gospel.

·       St. Peter was miraculously released from prison, but he carried on with preaching the gospel. The passion for preaching the word of God continued to urge him even though he was at risk of being killed or imprisoned by Herod again.

·       In the second reading (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18), St. Paul was telling Timothy that his life was already being poured out as a libation. In his various missionary journeys, St. Paul had come face to face with death and persecution and yet the Lord delivered him.

·       Dearly beloved, beneath this readiness to die for the sake of the gospel, as exhibited by Saints Peter and Paul, is a personal knowledge of God. A knowledge of God that is experiential. It goes beyond what people may have told them about God to what they have come to know about God.

·       Jesus in the gospel reading (Matthew 16:13-19) asks a very important question today, "Who do you say that I am?" This profound question does not demand a careless answer but an answer from conviction and from faith.

·       St. Paul and St. Peter were convinced about what they knew of God and have gladly handed on to us that faith. Now Jesus invites you and me to that journey of continuous discovery of who God is, and you worship him in spirit and truth.

·       We pray today for a continuous hunger for God and willingness to journey with him as he unravels himself to us, Amen.

·       Happy Sunday!!!

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