The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, apostles
(Acts 12:1-11; II Timothy 4:6-8.17-18; Matthew 16:13-19)
Looking at billboards promoting the United States Marines, a young man can hardly resist wanting to join the corps. The blue, white and red uniforms stand out like stars in the night sky calling one to dream. In the first reading from Acts today Peter is told to similarly dress smartly so that he might serve his Lord.
The words of the angel to Peter in prison echo the command that Jesus makes of him at the end of the Gospel of John. In both instances Peter’s dressing is mentioned and he is told to follow. John’s gospel says forebodingly that the words indicate the way Peter is to die. Evidently following Jesus means that he will die like the Lord. The command in Acts is more promising. The angel rescues Peter from execution at the hands of the Jewish intolerants although Peter still will die a martyr for Christ.
All of us are called to follow Jesus, but graciously this does not mean that we will not die in bed. We follow Jesus by living like him as much as we can and always living for him. We rise in the morning to proclaim his mercy. He is our reason for treating our neighbor fairly and our families tenderly. To see his face in death is the goal of our life. We answer with Peter when Jesus asks his disciples if they wish to leave him: “Master, to whom shall we go?”
