Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
This weekend we have a rare occurrence: the use of red vestments for Sunday Mass. (Bright red is my favorite color, which is why I geek out over things like this.) Normally, the only Sundays that call for red vestments are Palm Sunday and Pentecost Sunday; but when the great Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul—June 29—falls on a Sunday, we use red for a third time. The red color is meant to remind us that these two great saints shed their blood for their faith in Jesus.
The respective roles of Saints Peter and Paul are described in the Preface of the Mass we celebrate this weekend:
“Peter, foremost in confessing the faith,
Paul, its outstanding preacher;
Peter, who established the early Church from the remnant of Israel,
Paul, master and teacher of the Gentiles…”
The Bible mentions at least three times that Peter and Paul met (Galatians 1:18; Galatians 2:1-9; Galatians 2:11-14). Both of them became martyrs, losing their earthly lives because of their loyalty to Jesus Christ.
In this context, it’s good for us to remember that the word “martyr” is Greek for “witness.” There are many ways in which all of us can give witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. The most important way is for us to live according to the Gospel. I’ve always liked the words of a French theologian from the early 20th century: “To be a witness does not consist in engaging in propaganda, nor even in stirring people up, but in being a living mystery. It means to live in such a way that one’s life would not make sense if God did not exist.”
Another striking quote comes from a Christian writer in the 2nd century after Christ. Remarking on how Christians stood out from the rest of society, he wrote: “‘See,’ they say, ‘how they [the Christians] love one another.’” In this way the early Christians showed that they took to heart the words of Jesus: “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
All the stuff that I have written (and quoted) above is my way of connecting the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul with our daily lives. All of us are called to give witness to our faith. Ultimately, this means taking our relationship with Jesus Christ to such a level that our lives are permeated with the Lord’s example and teachings. It means that we are full-time, 100% Christians. Saints Peter and Paul are good examples for us to follow.
Blessings,
Fr. Philip