Peanut butter & plums, plants & palms, pink & purple—NO Peter and Paul. We recently celebrated within the Catholic community the feast days of Peter and Paul. Two totally different men! One Simon called Peter, one Saul called Paul but both followers of Jesus Christ, each coming to know Him in a different way, time and place. One was a fisherman and one a tent maker. I wonder what it was like when Peter met Paul for the first time, face to face. Their single bond was the desire to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. They may not have agreed about each other’s methods but they did agree on the Message.
Thinking about these two disciples, we have many lessons to learn. Peter reached out to his Jewish brothers and sisters. Paul moved beyond the Jewish community and brought the good news to his Gentile brothers and sisters. They knew the message of Jesus was for all people. Our present Pope Francis, understands this well and is finding ways to reach out to so many diverse people across the world. Beginning with the example of Peter and Paul, we also are called to meet “all our neighbours” with an open mind and an open heart.
Recently, I watched the fireworks over the Detroit River, and my thoughts took me to another Peter and Paul moment. We are two countries, with many diverse points of view, yet we share an underlying belief of “Freedom for all”. And so there is much to learn from a few moments of reflection on these two early mentors and leaders of faith. Perhaps their example might help us in our day to day encounters with the people and events that challenge us.
Barbara Vaughn, CSJ