Fidelity to God. Solemnity of Ss Peter and Paul June 29

By Kingsley Okoro On Jun 29, 2023 1,576 17

June 29 Breakfast With the Word Solemnity of Ss Peter and Paul.

Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18, Matthew 16:13-19.

Fidelity means faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support. It entails allegiance to someone or on what you believe.

When we look and analyse the lives of Peter and Paul, we cannot but conclude that their lives are pointers to what it means to show fidelity to God.

They were so determined in the spread of the gospel message that neither persecution nor suffering was able to stop them. They lived their lives only for the cause of the salvation of souls and the gospel. Let us have a brief journey in the lives of the duo.

1. Peter was once a Fisherman, but when called by Jesus, Peter left everything and joined the league of the apostles.

Secondly, the bible records that Jesus visited the mother in law of Peter in Matthew 8:14, which implies that Peter had a wife and possibly children, but Peter left all and followed Jesus.

Luke told us in Acts 18:3 that Paul was a tenth maker but later became a staunch converter of souls. Their lives teach us that despite what we do and how busy we are, we should not forget that the work of God reigns supreme over everything.

So, to show their fidelity to the call and God, they leave everything.

Therefore, Ss Peter and Paul teach us that God should be the first in everything we do.

We should also consider Him as the most important. Therefore, nothing should come in between our relationship with God.

2. Despite their zeal, they also made mistakes: Peter denied the Lord three times, while Paul persecuted the Church of God. But they were transformed by the questions Jesus asks them; Simon, son of John, do you love me? (John 21:15); and; Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? (Acts 9:4).

Peter was grieved by the question of Jesus, while Paul was made blind by His words.

Jesus follows the question of Peter with; feed my sheep. Jesus charges him to shepherd his flock.

While that of Paul is; I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and they will tell what you must do. (Acts 9:6).

Therefore, this teaches us that despite our pasts, God can still touch us. There is hope for a change. Ss Peter and Paul encountered Jesus and encountered change. We need to pray for the grace of daily encounter. We encounter Jesus through the word and the Holy Eucharist. Moments that we spend with the Lord should change us.

3.With both experiences, SS Peter and Paul were transformed and remained in obedience to the mission given to them.

Jesus changed their names from Simon to Peter, From Saul to Paul and changed their lives. The one who denied him became the leader of the Church. The one who persecuted Him became an apostle of the gentiles, to the extent that we still read most of his epistles today.

The life of Ss Peter and Paul is a pointer that God can still use anyone.

Our pasts are nothing before God if we can obey Him and change our lives. Then, If we can seek Him with all our hearts today and ask Him to forgive us, He will transform us.