A Reflection for Sponsors by Al Dizon

A little message for everyone in the journey (sponsors).
 
THE death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI brought unusual media attention to the papacy’s role in both the church and world affairs. Today’s Catholic feast of Saints Peter and Paul likewise draw attention to the Petrine office and its service to the church and to the world.

Peter and Paul brought totally different backgrounds and experiences to their roles of leadership in the church. Peter was a humble fisherman when he responded to the call of Jesus: "Come, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." A married man, Peter was a Galilean Jew steeped in the religious traditions of his people. He saw how Roman rule had brought suffering to his people. He carried a sword and drew it in defense of Jesus when the temple police and Jewish leaders came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Olives. Peter was passionately in love with his people and with Jesus. Although he sometimes misunderstood Jesus and even himself, there was something genuine about him. He really meant his boast that he was willing to lay down his life for Jesus, though it took years before he could ultimately keep his word.

In contrast, Paul was a Jew raised outside of Palestine. His family must have had considerable social status for Paul to have Roman citizenship. Although he was passionate about this faith, Paul was raised in the city of Tarsus where he was educated in Greek thought and literature. Studying in Jerusalem, Paul became a leading scholar in the Hebrew Scriptures and he set about enforcing the Law of Moses and persecuting those who followed the teachings of Jesus. He became a believer after his encounter with the risen Christ while he was on his way to Damascus to round up disciples of Jesus and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial. He claimed to be an apostle, equal to Peter and the others, although he had not known Jesus personally during the latter’s life and ministry. Paul’s letters and the narratives about his missionary activity eventually came to be major parts of the Christian scriptures. His views formed part of the apostolic foundations of Christian life and theology.

We should try to recall the variety of gifts found in the apostolic leadership of the local churches formed around faith in Jesus. Perhaps the greatest challenge posed to Catholics by this feast is the task of continuing to make the message of Christ the heart of their lives and the anchor of their living witness to the love of God made incarnate in Jesus. Peter and Paul were passionate in their faith. They proved their love for Christ by sacrificing their lives in service to the church. Hopefully, the church will never lack such apostolic witness and love for the flock of Christ. Are we as passionate about our calling as sponsors?


29 June 2005