Saints Peter and Paul, Ribera, 1616
[laread_first_letter]S[/laread_first_letter]aints Peter and Paul, known for their faith in Christ and their love for the Church, we honor with today’s Solemnity in their names.
Saint Peter knew Christ during his earthly life and ministry. He listened to Christ preach, watched as he healed the sick, observed his compassion for sinners of all stripes, and was witness to his resurrection. Saint Peter was the first of the Apostles to give expression to the faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
Saint Paul came to know Christ by the grace of a revelation. “Now I want you to know, brothers , that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)
Both of these great saints knew Jesus. Both had a faith in him so strong that it brought about profound conversions in each of their own lives, and led them to fearlessly proclaim Jesus Christ to the world of their time.
Because of their faith in Jesus Christ and their love for him, they were led to do great things in his name. These deeds of faith and love sowed the seeds of faith in the early days of the Church. These scattered seeds of faith they watered by their own blood, shed in witness to the faith.
May we who share the very same faith they preached have the same love for Christ today. May our love for Christ give us eyes and hearts only for Christ and his Church. May our love for Christ cast out all fear (1 John 4:18) that we may follow Christ and go wherever he sends us.
Through the intercessions of Saints Peter and Paul, let us live the faith and preach the truth in love.
+pde
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