THE SOLEMNITY OF STS PETER AND PAUL

When this feast would come up, when I was little, I often thought it remarkable that these two saints would take their names from the candy company that made Almond Joy candy bars (Peter and Paul Almond Joy, for those whose memories do not stretch as far back as mine). Of course, as I furthered my religious studies in school, I found that this was not the case. However, it is possible to use the Almond Joy candy bar as a metaphor for this particular feast. For those unfamiliar with this excellent product, the Almond Joy candy bar is comprised of primarily cocoanut, with a number of almonds on top of the cocoanut and all covered in milk chocolate. Yum! The soft, sweet taste of the cocoanut is complimented by the crunch and taste of the almond, and the milk chocolate fuses this two substances together for a delightful feast for the taste buds. Cocoanut and almonds are not two substances commonly found together in nature. 

Sts. Peter and Paul were also two very contrasting people in the early Church. They were so contrasting that they didn’t really get along very well throughout most of their ministry. Paul, particularly in his letter to the Galatians, essentially calls Peter a spineless no good for nothing for not standing up to the extreme conservative element of James’ Christian community in Jerusalem. Paul’s contempt for James was only equal to the disregard he had for Peter. The rift in the Christian community grew so severe that a council had to be called to meet in Jerusalem to settle this rift that was threatening the life of the early Church. Though these two were totally different from one another, they each brought their particular gifts and zeal to the Church. It was through the merging of their differences and the sharing of their particular gifts and charisms that helped create and grew the Church in those early years. Later on in their lives, with Peter traveling to Rome, the then “center” of the political world, and Paul being brought to Rome to stand trial, these two dynamic leaders of the early Church reconciled with one another. Just as an Almond Joy combines the flavors and textures of diverse elements into a marvelously tasty treat, so, too, did Peter and Paul combine their gifts into a Church that has endured persecution, schism, and scandals and has continued its grow as a witness to Jesus the Christ. Each and everyone of us possesses different gifts with which God has blessed us. Like Peter and Paul, God calls us to combine our differences and gifts into building up the Body of Christ on earth.