Acts 12:1-11, Psalm 34, 2 Timothy 4:6-18, Matthew 16:13-19
Do you relate better with Peter or Paul? For me, it is Peter without a doubt. This is NOT because Peter was the first Pope. Rather, I’ve always felt that Peter was the most ‘human’ among all the apostles.
Peter was always that impulsive guy whose words are spoken faster than anyone. At times he says the wrong things, at times he got it right. Peter was the one who proclaimed he would never leave Christ but proceeded to deny him three times out of fear. Peter was the one who unleashed his sword and cut off Malchus’ ear. Peter was the only one who walked on water momentarily, but proceeded to sink immediately after a brief moment of an apex of Faith.
I think this pretty much sums up my Christian life. At times, I can be on a ‘spiritual high’ and impulsively tell Jesus I would do anything for Him, but I usually end up failing to keep my end of the bargain.
What I admire greatly and seek to imitate about Paul is his zeal for God. Paul had this zeal even when he was Saul. Although he persecuted Christians, he did so because he believed he was protecting his God from these ‘blasphemous’ Christians. Undoubtedly, God wanted this man on his side to proclaim his Gospel. He was just too good at what he did and Jesus just had to have the best for Himself!
Let us remember these two great Saints today: Peter, the First Pope and Bishop of Rome; and his greatest Cardinal, Paul, the evangelist for the Gentiles. Although these two men couldn’t get along on various occasions, it was undoubtedly certain that they deeply respected each other. It is also fascinating that they were both martyred in Rome; which the is present-day homeground for Christ’s Church!
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