Homily: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
Paul hated those who put demands on the faithful
Today is the Solemnity of Peter and Paul and we see the two great apostles who preached of Jesus’ death and resurrection, love and mercy. Peter preached to the Jews and Paul became the Apostle to the Gentiles.
In today’s second reading, St. Paul looks forward to eternal life. He also in his letter to Timothy says that others too will receive that crown of righteousness from the Lord. So St. Paul is looking forward to eternal life. He is encouraging others to do the same and is reminding them of the promise which is the fruit of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
We respond to God’s generosity
Now, of course, we have a calling to respond to God’s generous invitation to us. We must live in the appreciation for Jesus action on the cross and his saving work to bring us to eternal life.
However, what would happen if that I speak to a whole crowd of people about Jesus’ death and resurrection, his saving action so that we could go to Heaven but finish with noting that only three people in the entire Church would receive salvation. What kind of an offer or a gift is that.
Yet, you see that all the time. Many in on the extremes of the Catholic Church promote the idea that virtually no one will be saved. They teach to assume Jesus’ salvation will lead you to Heaven is an act of presumption.
In the letter to the Galatians, St. Paul struggles with a similar issue. A group of what he calls super apostles start promoting the heresy that unless you continue to follow the Jewish laws you will not be saved. Again, changing Jesus’ promise and restricting it to a smaller number. Paul is so angered by this that he expresses his anger by saying words that I cannot use with a family audience. He has no respect for these people whatsoever.
The pharisees were the same. They looked down on others whom they felt were not worthy of salvation or eternal life. If the regular Joe was walking down the street, the pharisee would cross the street to avoid him because he considered the regular Joe to be base.
Jesus constantly railed against the pharisees explaining that they were the greater sinners. Finally, remember, after his resurrection, Jesus never went back to show himself to the pharisees.
Most of us are not Marines
We have the same type of people today. These are the people who will be willing to say that you will not be saved because you do not work hard enough. You don’t suck it up and give your all. This is the kind of talk that Marines use but you are not marines. You are good people and Jesus is calling us to be in union with him and to co-operate with him in his grace to lead you to eternal life.
St. Paul hated the people that would always condemn others and tell them they would not be saved because they did not work hard enough or did not follow the right rules.
So keep in mind the words of St. Paul looking forward to eternal life. Seek to do God’s will be faithful to the Church and all will be well. Never listen to those who tell you that you are going to be saved. If you seek Christ you can expect he will lead you to eternal life. Trust in him.
Fr. Robert J Carr is pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Allston, MA
The parish podcast is at CatholicAudioMedia.com
He is the author of several books including: Christ in Your Humanity