This Week
Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles
Today we celebrate the solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It has been said that they did not get on, so the Church rewards their weakness, and they must share the day for ever! This makes a valid point for us. How often do we find ourselves working with someone we don’t like, or living next door to someone we don’t like, or dare I say it – living with someone we don’t like. We can choose our friends, but we cannot choose or family, neighbours or work colleagues. Even if we don’t like someone, we should be able to get on providing there is some tolerance and understanding on both sides. There are many friendships that develop between rivals for example those serving in Parliament have been known to strike up great friendships with the opposition but remain professional rivals treating each other with the greatest respect when having a professional disagreement. I would like to think this is how Peter and Paul did get on.
They were very different personalities. Paul was a great evangelist and traveller. He travelled throughout the Roman Empire, to Greece and Turkey and spoke of travelling to Spain. He evangelised the Gentiles or uncircumcised, those who were not already chosen as the people of The Lord. This opened up Christianity to the whole world, not just the chosen few. Last week Father Daniel was away with 30 parishioners to Castile in Spain. They stayed at Segovia and visited Avila, Salamanca and Valladolid. I wonder if they trod the same ground as Saint Paul?
Saint Peter was always good at putting his foot in it, saying the wrong thing, questioning Our Lord. Not your obvious leadership material. Like Saint Paul, Peter was transformed by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Our Lord said, ‘Upon this rock I will build my Church’ and Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter became the first earthly leader of the Church and his successor is now our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV.
Peter and Paul were both working for the same purpose to build up the Church to save our souls. They were both martyred. Peter was crucified upside down and Paul was beheaded.
Let us pray that we can get on with those around us and continue the work of Saints Peter and Paul by building up God’s Holy Church here in Enfield.
While we are talking about traveling, I am preparing for a half marathon in October to raise funds for CAFOD. Please follow me here where I will share updates on my training and preparation: https://www.justgiving.com/page/peter-jones-7
Every blessing
Deacon Peter
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