GOSPEL POWER l JUNE 29, 2022 - WEDNESDAY

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Gospel: Mt 16:13-19

13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

 We celebrate today the faith-witness of two contrasting biblical figures — an ordinary fisherman and an elite scripture scholar. The celebration reminds us, first, that God chooses people from all walks of life and involves them in the accomplishment of his design. None of those called is qualified, because the task is to be accomplished, not by human excellence, but by divine grace… by God’s power that operates in weakness. Secondly, the celebration reminds us that saints are forgiven sinners — people who struggled with their human defects and triumphed only because of grace. Peter and Paul are the most telling examples. Peter denied and abandoned Jesus in the greatest moment of crisis, and Paul tried to destroy the messianic community. But God chose these sinners and transformed them into pillar-apostles and leaders in the faith. Their life-stories converge to demonstrate a single truth — that all is grace!

 Lord Jesus, grant that your grace may accomplish in our lives, too, the good work it has begun. Amen.