Posted by The WORD in Other Words by Fr Atilano Corcuera Jr SVD (Philippines) on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the Apostles
June 29 will always hold fond memories in my life. Why? Because it’s our town fiesta! Even before the fiesta itself I would find myself in the plaza putting bets on “beto-beto,” Bingo and “sa pula sa puti.” At times I would buy tickets to watch freak shows; after which indulge in cotton candies and pancakes. That was how I spent my days in the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Those days are gone; for this great feast has acquired a deeper and clearer meaning. For instance in the Gospel Jesus confronts his disciples with a basic question: “Who do you say that I am?” The question is not about what other people think of Jesus. It is not about to whom he could be compared. Rather, “Who am I to you?”
Christianity is not so much knowing our Creeds and the Ten Commandments . Nor is it memorizing prayers or knowing the history of the Church or biography of the saints. Christianity is knowing Jesus.
St. Peter hits the nail on the head when he professes his faith and tells Jesus who he is for him personally. In effect Peter is telling Jesus,“ I know you.” His profession of faith would lead him to offer his life as a martyr.
St. Paul, the greatest missionary to the Gentiles, also knows Jesus, and like St. Peter would face death as a martyr.
Both have become the pillars of our Church. Both know Jesus. Indeed, knowing Jesus will eventually lead us to the greatest Fiesta in heaven, Fiesta that will never end.
Source – Bible Diary 2020
