Word to the Wise
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles
[Acts 12:1-11; 2 timothy 4:6-8, 17-18; Matthew 16:13-19]You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church..... (Gospel of Matthew) The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. (2 Timothy)
Peter and Paul stand as two giants in the establishment of the church at the very beginning. They were both strong personalities and, on occasion, they clashed [Galatians 2:11-14]. In any case, they have become larger than their individual personal histories and have taken on a symbolic importance in the sense that Peter represents the structured and hierarchical ministry as well as the "unity" of the church, for which the Pope is the flesh and blood sign! Paul has come to represent the "charismatic" evangelical and spirited side of the ministry. These are broad characterizations, but I think they are fair ones, and used widely. Nevertheless, the liturgical celebration of this feast in Rome has taken on a decidedly "petrine" flavor because this is the day that newly appointed archbishops from around the world come to Rome to receive the symbol of their office, a kind of sash called the "pallium." This is supposed to symbolize their relationship with the Pope, although they don't really have a lot of authority over the bishops in their "provinces." (The Diocese of Austin, lead by Bishop Joe Vasquez, where I am based, is part of the "metropolitan province" of Galveston-Houston, where Cardinal DiNardo is archbishop.) If nothing else, the celebration of this feast can remind us of the vast reality that is the Catholic Church, its diversity now and from the beginning, especially in the necessary ministries of leadership and evangelism. All of this has to be lived on the local level anyhow, and we know what happens when strong personalities get involved! AMEN
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