Ss. Peter and Paul: Saint Study
I have always loved St. Peter. I think we tend to be so hard on him because we see him make some sincerely questionable decisions throughout the Gospels, but for me, that is honestly one of the reasons I have so much affection for him. Imagine living with Christ in the flesh day in and day out for three years, watching Him perform miracles, raise people from the dead, and you still can’t quite get it right. You still are ruled by fear, the desire for comfort, and the desire for self-preservation. Imagine denying Christ three times!
Of course, we deny Christ every time we sin, but we tend to forget that. We can all imagine that we would die on the spot for the Lord, should we be questioned on the matter. St. Peter eventually did die for the Lord, but it took many more years and a lot more growth in grace. It also took the descent of the Holy Spirit, of course. But there is a good lesson in him, and in St. Paul, too. St. Paul was outstanding in his work of persecuting Christians until his dramatic conversion, when Our Lord appeared to him. (Understandably, the Christians were then a little wary when St. Paul suddenly showed up trying to be their friend.)
But imagine: Our Lord took these two men with messy pasts and made them glorious saints and martyrs. He took these two men and, from these two pillars of His Church, built it up.
There is a lesson for us here: we are not defined by our pasts. Our Lord makes all things new (Revelations 21:5). So if there is sin in your past (there probably is), it does not mean you cannot become a great saint. Say yes to Christ with all your heart and run to Him. Persevere in the work of growing in virtue, even when there are innumerable setbacks (like there were for these great saints).
For like St. Paul said, “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Please enjoy this ten page saint study on Ss. Peter and Paul! It includes an introduction, map study, picture studies, and more!
Saints Peter and Paul
A Guide to Saints Peter and Paul for Families
Feast Day: June 29