Friday, June 29, 2012

Peter and Paul


Perhaps Peter and Paul whom we feast today whom we celebrate today would not mind if we noted that neither of them had anything to be proud of- Peter who even as his best friend is being slapped and sentenced insisted to a serving girl in the glow of a charcoal fire that he did not even know who that man was; and self-righteous Paul who dragged the first followers of Jesus from their homes to prison and persecution. Both Peter and Paul find themselves discovered by the Mercy of God in Christ Jesus, who identifies himself as the betrayed one, the persecuted one. They have been empowered by mercy and compassion and forgiveness. We celebrate two men desperately in need of transformation, a transformation that happens in their encounters with their most merciful betrayed and persecuted Lord.
 

Saints Peter and Paul, 15th century, Fondamenta Cavour, Murano, Italy.