What it Means to be Christian (Homily)

On the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, we hear what it means to change from within and without. First, we learn what it means to give ourselves over to a life of real faith after hearing the word of God, experiencing Christ within, and being led by the Holy Spirit. Second, we see that being called means growing closer to God in deep prayer and using our gifts to serve others.

Third, we find out that the life of a faithful servant means we are 'in the world' but not 'of the world.' In other words, we experience ourselves as being 'in between'. Think about it like this:

St. Paul, the great convert and evangelist, talks of being 'caught up into the third heaven.' His expansive service to God and His people is also marked with a deep contemplation of God. St. Peter, who was known to be tough and not particularly educated, is the first one who claims that Christ is the 'Messiah, the Son of the Living God.' Later, he was known to contemplate God during the noon hour.

In other words, this feast is about the juxtaposition of life. Each of us, like these two apostles, go on a deep pilgrimage of faith, pray, learn to proclaim the Triune God, evangelize others, and are often condemned for our faithful witness of love.