Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Atilano Corcuera SVD – Divine Word Seminary Tagaytay
Solemnity of Saint Peter and Paul – June 29
The reality of GRACE becomes tangible and concrete in the lives of Peter, the prince of the Apostles, and Paul, the greatest missionary of all times.
Peter may be described as impulsive. He follows his instinct and acts on it immediately, almost without thinking through what he is going to do before actually doing it. His love for Jesus is warm, protective and aims at pleasing his Master.
His emotions, at times, get the better of him. He must have developed this characteristic from leading men to fish through unpredictable waters and unmerciful weathers. When Peter speaks, he emotes aloud, and the other fishermen follow.
Grace enters Peter’s life without even knowing it. Jesus says to him, “Blessed are you …For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you…” It is under God’s grace when Peter weeps after having denied Jesus three times.
It is also grace when he affirms his love for Jesus three times. It is the ultimate grace when he finally follows Jesus to his death on the cross.
Paul is a Pharisee, a strict follower of laws. He rounds Christians from their hiding places to deliver them to prison. But when grace hits him between the eyes, he opens himself to be enveloped by it.
It is grace that makes him strong in persecutions, perils, shipwreck, nakedness and even the sword in order to proclaim Jesus crucified to peoples in the world.
And finally it is grace that leads him to death by decapitation.
Sts. Peter and Paul, help us to welcome grace in our lives!
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