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.
