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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  God is foundation for pillars of the Church

by Fr. Richard C. Macey, special to The Michigan Catholic
Published June 20, 2008

Although there is no recorded tradition of their meeting, both Peter and Paul died in Rome. Peter was crucified upside down near the Vatican about A.D. 64 Paul was beheaded about three years later. This feast was already being celebrated by the middle of the fourth century. Each one has a major basilica to commemorate him: St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and the Basilica of St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls. There are separate readings for the Vigil Mass: Acts3:1-10, Galatians 1:11-20, John 21:15-19. I will comment on the readings for the day Mass. The feast supplants the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11

Herod Agrippa I ruled all Judea from 41-44 AD. He was the grandson of Herod the Great and Miriamne I, the favorite wife of Herod the Great. He was a friend of Emperor Caligula, who gave him the title "king" in 37 A.D. He sided with the Pharisaic group. Herod had James the Greater, brother of John, executed. James was called "the greater" because he was called to be one of the Twelve before the other apostle, James the Less (Mt 5:21). James (the Greater) is also mentioned first in the list of the Twelve (Lk 6 14-16).

Peter, James and John were the three who were closest to Jesus and witnesses to the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. The persecution by religious authorities is extended to civil authorities. It reaches into the very core of Jesus' disciples. Only a miraculous deliverance saves Peter, who at first does not fully understand what is occurring. Peter is needed for the narrative in chapter 15, the council at Jerusalem. It is interesting that the Twelve is no longer important to maintain, since James was not replaced as was Judas Iscariot in Acts 1:21. The Church is evolving in its mission. The fervent "prayer by the Church" was contrasted with the actions of King Herod in the arrest of Peter. Prayer won. The deliverance of Peter and the growth of the number of faithful is contrasted with the end of the life of Herod at the end of this chapter (12:23-24). The Book of Acts records the victory of those who persevere in the faith over the obstacles and challenges they face.

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18

Paul does not look upon his death as the end of his existence. He trusted that God would bestow "the crown of righteousness" to him and the other faithful at the end of their earthly lives. Paul describes his condition by using cultic language – "already being poured out like a libation." "Departure" also has the nuance of "deliverance from evils." Paul uses the nuances of sporting events here and elsewhere (e.g., 2 Tm 2:5, 1 Cor 9:24-27). The verb indicates that not only has he "competed … finished … kept," but that this is also ongoing in his life now.

The "Lord, the just judge," is probably referring to Jesus in this passage, due to the context. However, Paul is not always clear in distinguishing between God the Father and God the Son.

In the previous chapter, Paul has encouraged Timothy to follow not only his teaching, but also his example of life (3:10). So Paul does not boast of his own confidence in God alone. He is giving an example for Timothy to follow, despite the suffering and struggle for the faith. This is part of the judgment of the "last days" (3:1), which will challenge and strengthen the believer. Some commentators have suggested that there is an allusion to the Lord's Prayer: "The Lord will rescue/deliver me from every evil threat." Paul adds a few words to the expression from Matthew's account, but he uses the same verb. Paul concludes this passage with a brief doxology, as he does elsewhere in his letters.

Sports has become a challenge to religious educators. . .and sometimes to priests! Parents deliver their children to practices and sporting events on all days and hours, making a convenient scheduling of events in the parish, such as classes and liturgical services, almost impossible! In his time, Paul used the interest in sporting events to promote the image of training for the great event of spreading the gospel message.

I had a philosophy professor in the seminary who used sporting images to explain the deepest mysteries of truth. We got it! I have also heard some interesting homilies which have also used some sporting images. People paid attention! Some people use sporting events to hold up a sign with John 3:16. (I have some classmates who believe that a new sign should be made: John 4:7. But I think I will just let the image remain.) Perhaps, like Paul, we could use the interests and activities of our congregation to convey the deeper message of the Gospel. That would be a real challenge to us!

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

The region of Caesarea Philippi includes a place which is now called Banias. It begins the foothills for Mount Hermon in Syria. Mount Hermon was considered to be the dwelling place of the gods by the earlier Canaanites. The melting snow at the top of the mountain provides an important source of fresh water for the Jordan River. There is a rock face, which has a flowing stream coming from beneath it.

This passage includes a saying of Jesus to Peter which has been used as scriptural support for papal supremacy. Some scholars have questioned whether Jesus would use the words "my Church" rather than "the Church of God," because the personal "my" suggests a parallel group to Judaism. The expression may have been added by a later redactor who sought to draw a direct line from the ministry of Jesus to the ministry of the Twelve and the ministry of the Church. But the geographical location at Caesarea Philippi supports the imagery of Peter's leadership role and the use of "rock" for stability and source.

The Greek name, Peter, means "rock." The Aramaic surname Kepha, the equivalent to Peter, is used in the call of Simon (Peter) in John 1:42. It refers to a round stone, gem, nugget or even a hailstone rather than a rock. It would not be a good foundation stone. However, it could refer to Peter's hardness, either his difficulty in understanding or his firmness of commitment to Jesus in spite of his weaknesses.

The Lord still gathers disciples, students of His ministry, and appoints apostles, sharers in His mission. The figures of Peter and Paul lead the line of witnesses to the work of God. Fr. Richard Macey is pastor of Our lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.