Carroll Stuhlmueller calls Peter and Paul “Twin Apostles.” Peter he says was responsible for stability and continuity. Paul was “the line of enrichment. He developed the theology of World Apostolate.”
Peter’s true name was Simon. It was Jesus who renamed him ‘Simon Cephas,’ which is an Aramaic word meaning, ‘Rock.’ The Greek word for rock, ‘Petros’ became Simon’s new name, Peter. God established the firm foundation of His Church, on the faith of Peter.
Paul who was known as Saul, had his pride transformed into humility. His name Paulus, meaning “little, less,” demonstrates this. Paul’s zeal for making converts never died. He passionately preached his convictions, always dreaming of new visions, always ready to go where no one has yet laboured for Christ.
Peter (d.c.64-68 A.D.) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and is regarded as the First Pope by the Catholic Church. Saint Peter is the only Pope to be born Jewish. He was the first Pope born in the Middle East and the only Pope who personally met Jesus.
Both Peter and Paul were first-century Christian Missionaries, who travelled to Rome on separate journeys and were martyred there under the reign of the Emperor Nero.
Augustine of Hippo said of Sts. Peter and Paul: “Both apostles share the same feast day, 29th June, for these two were one, and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. So we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood.
On one side of the square is Saint Peter, recognisable by the colour of his robes – he is traditionally shown wearing yellow and blue – and by the large golden Key he holds. On the other side is Paul with his sword. Peter’s key is a symbol that Jesus has given him, the power of the keys with the words, “I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.”(Mathew 16:19) Often one key is gold and the other silver. The gold key represents the power to bind and loose in heaven Spiritual Authority; while the second key represents the power to bind and loose on earth, Temporal Authority.
In the biblical stories about the two main apostles, we see what deep faith can achieve in the life of generous people. We get a glimpse of each of them in prison for the faith, prepared for martyrdom if necessary, in bearing witness to the Gospel. Today, we need to pray for our present Church, that all may play our part in the life of faith. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if at the end of our lives, we could share in Paul’s confidence that we had fought “the good fight,” finished the race and could trust God’s reward waiting for us?
There may be more to endure and more faithful service asked of us. However, we are not alone in the present struggle, and Paul says we not only look forward to some future vindication, but we are assured that even now, “The Lord will continue to rescue us from all attempts of harm and will bring us safe to His Heavenly Kingdom.”
Sherida D’Souza