Solemnity
of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
(Acts 12:1-11;
II Timothy 4:6-8.17-18; Matthew 16:13-19)
An ancient
tradition tells the story of St. Peter fleeing Rome during Nero’s persecution
in the first century. On the way, he
meets the Lord going the other way. Peter
asks Jesus in Latin, “Quo vadis, Domine?” (Where are you going, Lord?)
Jesus answers, “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.” Peter, ashamed that he was once again denying
Jesus, turns around and gives his life as a martyr.
Of course,
Peter repented of cowardice in the gospel as well. Evidently, he was a man of
tremendous ability – a type A character – and it was probably for this reason
that the Lord entrusts him with the “keys of the Kingdom” in today’s gospel.
But he, like all of us, could sin. St.
Paul, as well, gravely offended God by at first not recognizing Christ’s glory and
then by persecuting the Church. He also
repented, rendered Christ magnificent service as a teacher, and died a martyr.
Saints
Peter and Paul exemplify how Christians are a community of saints. All of us have sinned and, when truth is told,
continue to fail the Lord. Yet asking
God’s forgiveness, we pick up our walking stick to continue the journey of love
and truth. We can count on Christ’s
help. As he showed Peter the way to go
in the tradition of “Quo vadis?” he will lead us through the Church
which Peter led and Paul taught.
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