Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons: Feast of SS Peter and Paul

St Peter & St Paul

We don't know when Peter or Paul came to Rome, but deep rooted Christian family tradition places their imprisonment and deaths there. Archeological evidence suggests that a cult of both saints was early established, and certainly by the second century they were both venerated in the city of Rome. The fact that these two Apostles are together commemorated at a pre-eminent liturgical feast, observed in both East and West, reminds us that the liturgical life of the Church honours them as part of the foundations of the Church of Christ. This feast (as is that of St Andrew) is also truly ecumenical especially when Pope and Patriarch officiate at liturgies designed to draw their churches ever together in unity.

Undoubtedly there has been a lot of polemic from both Catholics and Protestants about the role of Peter and the eventual development of the Papacy. The Eastern Churches too, remind us that we must be very careful about exaggerated claims of absolute pre-eminence. For them, the Bishop of Rome was given a place of honour as 'first among equals' as successor of Peter ( or as the Pope's title puts it as 'Vicar' of Peter) a position which evolved over time , and the East fiercely resisted any attempt at papal jurisdiction over the other Churches!

But today we ought to bury our differences and look forwards, not in any triumphalist sense, but in humbleness of heart. Perhaps one of the greatest legacies of Paul and Peter is what they call us to now, in a world of grave problems and deep suffering, of challenges that threaten the survival of peace and our planet. Well, you might ask, what is it? It is so simple, both of them urge us to answer the call of Christ who still asks each one; 'who do YOU say I am?'.

Peter and Paul stand for all of us who struggle with our faith in the face of indifference or misunderstanding, even ridicule and yes - often now from our nearest and dearest! For who amongst us hasn't some family or friend who does not agree or even understand what we believe? Peter wants us to confess our love and faith for Christ, the anointed Messiah, the Word made flesh, Paul urges us on in that faith to fight the good fight to the end; to run the race of faith and life to the finish.

Courage! Don't give up they say - the Lord will stand by you!

Fr Robin Gibbons is an Eastern Rite Chaplain for the Melkite Greek Catholics in Great Britain.