29 June 2022
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
The apostles Peter and Paul went through many trials. Both suffered rejection as had Jesus. Both suffered imprisonment as had Jesus. And both were executed publicly like Our Lord.
Throughout all of these trials, they bore remarkable witness to the presence of Christ to them and in the Church. As we hear in the second reading, “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed…” (2 Tm 4:17) They were able to confidently face these sufferings because through prayer they knew the constant presence of the Lord, and so they were not afraid to face suffering and even execution for the sake of Jesus who stood beside them.
As we consider the witness of the apostles who were the foundation of the Church in Rome, let us ask these saints to pray for us. May we like Peter and Paul be bold in our relationship with Jesus, confessing Him to be truly the Son of the living God, and be bold in our relationship with others, proclaiming to our neighbors that Jesus is the Lord.