FOLLOWING THE LEGACY OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL
Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, two towering figures in the early Church who laid the foundations of our faith through their witness, preaching, and, ultimately, their martyrdom. Though different in personality, background, and mission, both were martyred in Rome around 64–67 A.D. and are rightly honored together as the two great pillars of the Church.
Peter and Paul did not work so closely together. Peter was called directly by Jesus and given "the keys of the kingdom" (Matthew 16:16-18). He is portrayed in icons carrying the keys. Paul, by contrast, likely never met Jesus face-to-face. His inspiration and his style of presenting the Gospel came from visions and charismatic experiences (Eph 6). He is portrayed in icons carrying either a sword or a book.
Despite their differences, both men played essential roles in shaping the identity of the Church. Peter is often seen as the symbol of the Church's institutional structure, while Paul embodies its charismatic and missionary Spirit. Peter was called the Apostle to the Jews, Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles. Their lives show us that the Church is both tradition and renewal, both structure and Spirit, both unity and diversity. Their distinct voices and missions enriched the Church, not divide it. Their example reminds us that God uses different gifts, personalities, and approaches to build up His Church. Each of us is called to embrace both the stability of Peter's faith and the passion of Paul's vision.
In the early stages of spreading the Gospel, it appears that the Apostles faithfully implemented much of what Jesus had taught them. However, they did not fully articulate or interpret the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit—the Advocate—who breaks down walls of division and fosters love and unity among believers. Certain elements of Jewish tradition continued to influence their theology and practice. A striking example is when Peter initially insisted on the circumcision of Gentile converts, leading to a public confrontation in Galatians 2:11–14, where Paul opposed him to his face, recognizing that such a requirement conflicted with the inclusive nature of the Gospel.
Paul's unique contribution lies in his deeper sensitivity to the work of the Holy Spirit. Through his dramatic conversion and ongoing inspiration by the Spirit, Paul was empowered to emphasize the charismatic and liberating dimension of the Gospel. His ministry brought to light more fully the Spirit's role in uniting believers, transcending cultural and ritual barriers, and making the Church truly universal. He took the Gospel beyond the Jewish world, preaching salvation by grace through faith, while the Apostles emphasized faith and work. This teaching has had a lasting impact. After centuries of debate, the Catholic Church, Lutheran World Federation, and World Methodist Council issued a Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, affirming that salvation is a gift of grace—not earned, but received in faith, and expressed through good works.
There is a rich legacy to draw from in the lives of Peter and Paul. While we are saved not by our good works but by the grace of God, our works are the living expression of authentic faith. As Scripture reminds us, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). Paul challenges us to let our faith lead to true transformation. Receiving Jesus in the sacraments is not enough—we must also receive Him as the Lord of our lives, allowing His presence to shape every thought, word, and action. On this Solemnity, we are called to imitate Peter and Paul, who were both human, both imperfect, but both transformed by grace and wholly devoted to Christ. Their lives show us that God can work through our weaknesses and accomplish great things when we surrender fully to Him.
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