Education in Faith
Peter and Paul represent two great traditions within the Church: the strength of tradition and oneness associated with Peter; and the valuing of new ideas and outreach to others that typified the work of Paul. Throughout most of its history, the Church has linked the two major figures of Peter and Paul, so it is fitting that they share this feast day.
However, also throughout most of the Church’s history, Peter has been given greater regard and has held a more significant place in the tradition. There is huge significance in the line of Popes that is traced back to Peter. Peter is described as the ‘rock’ upon which the Church was built, an excellent image of stability and constancy.
In something of a contrast, the apostle Paul is best known as the great traveller who spread the message of Jesus all around the shores of the Mediterranean, establishing communities of faith wherever he went. His letters – or epistles - to these communities were some of the first Christian writings. Rather than stability and constancy, Paul is identified with growth and change; expansion and openness. Many would argue that without Paul the early Christian communities may not have survived beyond the end of the 1st Century.
The question Jesus puts to his disciples in this week's gospel is the very same question that he puts to us every day of our lives, ‘Who do you say I am?’ How we choose to answer that question will be reflected in our attitude towards self, others and to life itself. How we answer that question will change frequently throughout life as experience and changing spirituality lead us into asking other questions of ourselves. If we hold that the teaching and example of Jesus are important to us, then we are bound to strive towards emulating them in our own lives.