On the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul,
Pope Francis invites us to be builders of unity and prophets of God’s heaven on
earth. In keeping with health precautions, the Holy Father celebrated Mass at
the “Altar of the Chair” in St Peter’s Basilica, with the participation of a
limited number of the faithful.
By Christopher Wells
Pope Francis offered Mass for the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul in
the Vatican Basilica, built over the tomb of St Peter. In accordance with a
long-standing tradition, the Holy Father also blessed the pallia, an
ecclesiastical garment presented to metropolitan archbishops as a symbol of
unity with the Holy See.
In his homily, the Pope reflected on the themes of “unity” and
“prophecy.”
Unity the fruit of prayer
Although very different in experience and personality, Peter and Paul
were united as brothers, the Holy Father said. Their closeness to one another
was not a result of natural inclination, he explained, but came from the Lord,
who commands us to love one another. “He is the one who unites us,” the Pope
said, “without making us all alike.”
Watch the papal Mass for the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul
Pope Francis explained that the source of unity is prayer, and pointed
to the example of the Church praying together for St Peter when he was in
prison. The faithful of the time did not complain about persecution but
gathered together in prayer.
If we spent more time in prayer and less time complaining, the Pope
said, “so many doors would be opened, so many chains that bind would be
broken.”
Prophecy follow challenges
The challenges faced by Peter and Paul led to “prophecy,” the second
theme of the Pope’s homily. “The Apostles were challenged by Jesus,” the Pope
said: Peter, when Jesus asked the Apostles, “Who do you say that I am?”; and
Paul, when Jesus asked him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“These challenges and reversals,” the Pope said, “are followed by
prophecies.” At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus tells Peter he will be the rock on
which He will found His Church. Paul, after his conversion, became the Lord’s
“chosen instrument” to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles.
“Prophecy is born whenever we allow ourselves to be challenged by
God,” said Pope Francis.
Need for real prophecy
“Today we need prophecy, real prophecy,” he continued. Real prophecy
does not consist in spectacular displays, but in bearing witness in one’s life
to the love of God: “This is how Peter and Paul preached Jesus, as men in love
with God.”
Their love led them to offer their lives as martyrs: “That was
prophecy,” the Pope said, “and it changed history.”
Recalling once again the Lord’s prophecy to Peter, the rock, Pope
Francis said there is a similar promise for us.
“Just as the Lord turned Simon into Peter,” the Pope explained, “so He
is calling each one of us, in order to make us living stones with which to
build a renewed Church and a renewed unity.”
Pope Francis concluded inviting everyone to allow ourselves to “be
challenged by Jesus” and to respond to His call to be “builders of unity” and
“prophets of God’s heaven on earth.”
