Reading

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any Christians, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.  As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him,

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.  Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.  Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.  For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything

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This week we commemorate the feast of St Peter and St Paul. Two gentlemen of equal status ion the Church.  There were a few similarities between them, they were both born into Jewish families. They both ended up following Jesus, they both travelled extensively to spread the Gospel and they were both martyred for the faith in Rome.  But the differences between them are great.

Paul appears to have been born into a wealthy family, Peter, being a fisherman, was not. Paul’s writings tell us he was well educated. If Peter had been well educated, he wouldn’t be a fisherman.  Peter knew Jesus personally. Paul did not meet Jesus while he was on earth.

It is understood by tradition that the two men didn’t really get on, they had a common cause and they shared it, but they did not choose each other company.

Peter was seen as the lead among the apostles, Jesus chose him for all the important things, Peter went with Jesus when he was transfigured on the mountain, it was to Peter that Jesus said ‘feed my sheep’ and to whom he said ‘and on this rock I will build my Church’.

However, there were occasions when Peter argued with Jesus and let him down. Peter did not want Jesus to wash his feet at the Last Supper, most importantly he denied knowing Jesus while Jesus was on trial and subsequently put to death.

Paul was a much greater sinner. Paul was known as Saul before his conversion, he sought out followers of Jesus, persecuted them and put them to death. He was known to be quite vicious about this too. In the Acts of the Apostles, “Saul” is recorded as a witness to St Stephen being stoned to death.

But then we have the story in our reading. Saul is on the way to Damascus when a bright light blinds him.  He hears the voice of Jesus and speaks to him.  He had to be looked after until he recovered and when he did, he was one of the very people he had given his life to hunting, imprisoning and killing.

Paul wrote many letters to the different Christian Communities that were spreading around the Mediterranean area. He also wrote to his companion Timothy who was away doing similar work to himself.  All told, Paul wrote just about half of the New Testament.

From the time of his conversion Paul believed he would see Jesus come back to Earth. His early letters are written in a very positive mood, expecting Jesus to pop up at any moment. His later writings, when he is in prison and waiting to be put to death, have the feel of a depressed author.

Peter and Paul were both put to death in Rome. Peter was sentenced to be crucified like Christ, but he said this death was too good for him, so he requested he was crucified upside down.  They were both buried there and the Church as we know it today has grown from there.

It’s important to remember that Peter and Paul were not friends, but together they did the work they were called to do. This will happen throughout life.  What we must remember, like them, and any sports team, is what can be achieved when you all focus on the same thing.

Closing Prayer

Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you in their death as in their life: grant that your Church, inspired by their teaching and example, and made one by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever