The Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, apostles
(Acts 12:1-11; II Timothy 4:6-8.17-18; Matthew 16:13-19)
The “yin yang” principle in Eastern philosophy explains how apparently opposite forces are interconnected and interdependent so that each gives rise to the other in turn. The most common example of the principle would be a male and female coupling to form other males and females. In Tao iconography Yin is pictured as a black tadpole with a white eye and yang as a white tadpole with a white eye. Yin is thus characterized by coldness, darkness, softness, expansiveness, and passiveness such as found in the earth, the night and, of course, women. Yang, on the other hand, is characterized by speed, hardness, and light and is associated with fire, the sun, and men. Yin yang can be used to explain today’s feast.
Peter and Paul are arguably the most prominent Christian saints. Each one’s martyrdom certainly merits a separate feast day. But the Church has chosen to celebrate them together not because they died together (they didn’t) or even on the same day of the year although no reliable historical records give the days of their martyrdoms. The Church seems to celebrate both saints’ martyrdoms on the same day because they represent how very different backgrounds, mentalities, and temperaments – a yin yang – came together to bring a vibrant community. We could call Paul the yin force whose reflectivity and diffusion opened new worlds to Christianity. Meanwhile Peter’s focused attention and gift for preaching make him more a yang figure. Together they brought about a universal Church by going to other lands and by having the homeland accept the idea of foreign members.
Today is a holiday in Rome, but most likely we will only have time to offer a prayer of thanks for these greatest of apostles. They brought us to know Jesus and provided us sterling examples - warts and all - of following in his way.
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