W hen we are taken into these dark periods, we begin to see light that we never knew existed. Our sensitivities become heightened and our ability to see through spiritual eyes is illuminated. Unless we are taken into these times, our souls never develop any depth of character. We do not gain wisdom, only knowledge. Knowledge is gained through understanding; wisdom is gained through the experience of darkness.
Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles
Acts 12:1-11
Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
M atthew 16:13-19 [alternate reading: Matthew 8:18-22] - Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" (14) And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." (15) He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" (16) Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (17) And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. (18) And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. (19) I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
* Meditation by Paul Mahowald S.J.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Both of these apostles died in Rome during the Christian persecution of Emperor Nero (64-68 A.D.). Peter’s way to Rome to establish that city which was the heart of the Roman Empire was stopping a short time in Antioch and then on to Rome. Paul’s itinerary is more complicated as he was involved with four missionary trips, the last being taken to Rome as a prisoner.
The readings emphasize Simon Peter’s role in the Church as established by Jesus in the gospel reading. Simon responded to the Lord’s query, “Who do you say that I am?” His answer was the strong affirmation that “you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” The words usually used for ‘the Messiah’ is ‘the Christ’ but both mean the same: the anointed one in Hebrew is ‘the Messiah’ and in Greek is ‘the Christ’.
The Messiah is the anointed king, like King David, who will save the Jews from their oppressors. Before the resurrection this meant for the ordinary Jew that the Messiah would be a king who would drive the Romans out of their land given to them by Yahweh.
The Jewish people had lived 1,000 years since King David and prayed and waited for a savior. When Jesus came he was not recognized as their Messiah, their warrior king, but instead most Jews were still waiting for their savior, for the Messiah. The gospels speak of the longing that the Jews had for the warrior king who would free their hold and its people from the foreign occupier.
When Simon recognized Jesus as this special prophet sent by God, he proclaimed that he was the Messiah. And Jesus then changed his name from Simon to Peter which in Greek meant “solid rock.” Jesus promised to establish his Church on this ‘rock’ (on Peter) and gave him the powers to do this; “I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.”
In our readings today we notice that both Peter and Paul have suffered much to witness to the Lord. We reflect on our own lives and see that we also have difficult times and circumstances with which we must deal. To celebrate this solemnity of the church’s greatest Apostles, we need also to trust in the Lord’s presence and his saving action.
A special note is important that we recognize our popes as the successors to St. Peter who was commissioned by Jesus to lead the Church. “Simon, son of Jonah” was blessed by Jesus because his insight about who Jesus really was came from his heavenly Father. May we also be open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so that we live a faithful life in union with the whole Church and our Pope.
Supplementary Reading
When God Seems Far Away
Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? ~ Psalm 10:1
O ne of the great mysteries of God is His ways. Some of His ways almost appear to bring us into the most difficult places, as if He were indifferent to our circumstances. It would appear that He is turning His head from our sorrows. These events in our lives have a particular objective to perform for us. That objective is to bring us to the end of ourselves that we might discover the treasure of darkness. "Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness" (Job 30:26).
When we are taken into these dark periods, we begin to see light that we never knew existed. Our sensitivities become heightened and our ability to see through spiritual eyes is illuminated. Unless we are taken into these times, our souls never develop any depth of character. We do not gain wisdom, only knowledge. Knowledge is gained through understanding; wisdom is gained through the experience of darkness.
After we go through these periods, we discover that God was, in fact, with us throughout the entire time. It does not feel or appear that He is there when we are in the midst of the dark periods. However, He is there walking with us. He has told us countless times that He will never leave us. However, when we are in those dark periods, it does not feel like He is there because He does not rescue us from the circumstances. He does this for our benefit in order that we might become more like Jesus. Jesus learned obedience from the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). What does that say about how you and I will learn obedience? Embrace the dark times and gain the wisdom that God intends for you from these times.
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