“I have kept the faith”
St. Peter and Paul
Cobh
29 June 2025
My friends,
In the piazza in front of St. Peters Basilica – there stands two huge statues, one of St. Peter the other St. Paul. They together represent the two pillars of the early church. It explains why millions of people over the centuries made a pilgrimage to pray at the tombs of the apostles; their resting place having suffered a martyr’s death. Their giving had not been in vain. We are venerating them still due to their witness and sacrifice.
We know they were very different men, with very different faith journeys. Peter knew Jesus in person and walked with him on his constant preaching paths proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom. Paul on the other hand was a convert – going from persecutor to disciple to become the original missionary as the apostle to the Gentiles.
Peter, we know to have been a fisherman, somewhat head strong, but clearly a leader – Peter not educated in our sense of the word other than through his attendance at the synagogue. Paul, on the other hand, would have had the benefit of the Greco - Roman milieu which equipped him to reach out beyond the shores of Palestine to the Gentiles.
We know from the Acts of the Apostles that they clashed in dispute over who should be included in the Kingdom. Together they reflect the reality of human affairs that good people with the best of intentions can find themselves at odds with each other and still retain a unity of purpose. It has over time become a hallmark of the life of the Church – the constant need to balance unity with diversity/difference.
These two men teach us so much about our faith and trust in God through Jesus, Our Lord. There are some stand out moments which gives us encouragement for our own journey. Peter in the Gospel we’ve just heard is entrusted with leadership and responsibility for the Church, despite his being severely reprimed twice by the Lord. Once telling him “Get behind me Satan! Your ways of thinking are man’s not Gods” and at Peter’s protestation of his loyalty Jesus was unequivocal “Before the cock crows you will have denied me three times.” Yet he would affirm him “Thou art Peter and on this rock, I will build my Church”, and he has. Then you have Paul whose faith journey was so different. We all know the Damascus experience of encounter with the Lord which led to his conversion and discipleship. We know that Paul didn’t just head out preaching right away. We know he was taken into the embrace of the company of believers ‘till as it where he could ‘get his head round’ what happened to him. We know he had something of a ‘desert experience’ during which we can assume he came to terms with his conversion and what it meant for the rest of his life. All the letters we are familiar with hearing for our 2nd Reading each Sunday are the fruit of his thought and prayer. He thought the early Church how to appreciate the life, teaching and ministry of Christ Jesus. “Have that mind within you that is in Christ Jesus.”
Todays 2nd Reading is from his letter to Timothy. It is a truly inspiring summary of his understanding of his life as a missionary.
“My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.
The Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
