Solemnity of Sts. Peter en Paul

On this day, we remember the death as martyrs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the culmination of their witness to the Lord. Both have publicly confessed the Christ as Messiah, the Son of God. They have proclaimed his message at the cost of all kinds of trials. Peter died in Rome, probably in the year 64 A.D. Paul endured the final test of his faith also in Rome, probably in the year 67 A.D. St. Peter’s grave is located on the Vatican hill; St. Paul is buried at the road to Ostia.

Dear brothers and sisters, in the centre of Rome there is a church called St Peter in Chains, San Pietro in vincoli in Italian. Under the altar, the chains lie from which we assume the Apostle Peter wore them when he had been imprisoned by King Herod. In the Acts of the Apostles we hear how Peter is set free, which for him is a sign that God the Lord is at work. This event gives him the freedom to carry out his work as an Apostle, which is to proclaim the Good News.

Already during Jesus' life, Simon Peter expressed his faith by confessing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. But later his faith would be severely tested, when Jesus voluntarily entered into suffering and had to die on the cross. Only after Pentecost, when the apostles had received the Spirit, Saint Peter dared to proclaim with conviction that Jesus had risen. Thus, Peter became the leader of the young Church, the rock on which the Church is built.

Peter himself had to suffer death on the cross during the persecution of Christians under the Emperor Nero. Tradition has it that Peter fled the city of Rome at the express request of his fellow believers. But when he comes to the city gate, he sees Jesus in a vision, to whom he asks: ‘Quo vadis? Where are you going?’ To which the Lord replied: ‘I am going to Rome to be crucified again’. Then Peter said: ‘But then, Lord, I am going back to be crucified with you’. Then the Lord ascended into heaven, while Peter returned into the city, where he was immediately seized by Nero's men. He was crucified, upside down, while Paul, as a Roman citizen, was killed by the sword.

Saint Paul writes to Timothy that the Lord stood by him and gave him strength to fulfil his ministry as a witness of the Good News. His faith in Jesus Christ has penetrated so deeply into his being that Christ has become his whole life, although Paul has never met Jesus in the flesh. In essence, this faith is an hope-filled faith, because it is based on the awareness that the Son of God loved him, just like you and me, and that He gave himself for us. As a righteous Judge, He will reward those who lovingly look forward to his coming in glory.

To us, the task has been given to bear witness to the truth that is in Christ Himself. This demands that we be honest and proclaim God's Kingdom. And we do so in a world afflicted by violence and injustices. Last Sunday, an orthodox church in Syria has been attacked by a suicide bomber, who killed 25 people and injured more than 60 others, before killing himself. According to the new Syrian government, the man was affiliated to Islamic state. It is clear that there is no justification—be it religious, moral, or rational—for the slaughter of innocents, least of all in a sacred space. It is also clear that we need to remain vigilant with regard to such threats. Another country in the Middle East, Iran, has for decades imprisoned Christians who would openly express their faith. These Christians did so, just as by their preaching Saints Peter and Paul encountered opposition from the ruling power.

In Rome, you can see the dungeons where, according to tradition, Peter and Paul were imprisoned. On top of the dungeons a small church has been built, as a sign that faith is overcoming dictatorship and terror. Let us join in the great stream of people who follow the example of the apostles Peter and Paul by expressing a strong and hopeful faith that goodness and truth, peace and justice will triumph in the end. Amen.