Hearts and Minds - Bishop Joseph Vu Van Thien
On June 29th, the Catholic liturgical calendar celebrates two saints: Peter and Paul. They are comparable for the two basics that built the church and made a firm foundation: Peter is the rock and Paul is the supporting pillar. More than two thousand years and many difficulties cannot destroy the Church.
The celebration of two saints reminds us of the mystery of God’s will and the Christian faith. The two of them came from two very different social environments. Peter was a simple fisherman while Paul was a scholar with profound knowledge, who studied with many famous masters. He was enthusiastic and eager to keep his father's tradition (Gal 1:14).
Their vocations began from two completely different contexts. Jesus called Peter while he was mending his nets. The Lord invited Peter to leave everything behind and follow him immediately (Mk 1,16-20). But, Paul was actively persecuting the Christians. The Damascus’ event changed his life, from which he became a disciple of Jesus (Acts 9,1-19). With an open heart, Jesus laid his foundation stone for the house of the Church on Peter. With an intellectual and ready mind to change, Jesus chose Paul as supporting pillars of his house. "Follow me!" A simple call that has miraculous power to change the life of a fisherman to become a disciple of Jesus. "Why do you persecute me?" Those words softened a bloodthirsty soldier to change his life forever. Love and reflection have kept the Church throughout history.
These two people with different lives are saints who shared a common ideal to serve Jesus and to willingly sacrificed their lives for His name and achieved martyrdom. God called both men and both said good bye to the past to start a new way of life with conviction. Paul did not hesitate to talk about his past: "Even though I used to be a blasphemer and a persecutor and contemptuous. Mercy, however, was shown me, because while I lacked faith I acted in ignorance" (1 Timothy 1:13). God had touched Peter. From a hot-tempered man in Jn 18:10, Peter became a humble disciple, and only uttered a commitment in love: "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you" (John 21:17). The Lord had conquered Paul. From a blood thirsty soldier, he became the apostle of the gentiles, he then directed his passion of the crucified Christ as the only ideal of his life: "While the Jews demand the sacred omen sign, and Greeks seek wisdom perhaps, the one we preach Christ crucified, which the Jews regarded as unacceptable disgrace, and the foolish Gentiles. But for those who are called by God, whether Jews or Greeks, whom he is Christ the power and wisdom of God " (1 Corinthians 1, 22-24).
If Jesus only called Peter, the Church would only include fishermen, farmers or uneducated people on the margins of society. If Jesus only called Paul, faith community would be only the intellectuals with the lofty philosophy.
God’s will is amazing. He called Peter and Paul to embrace the diversity of God’s people. The Church includes the old lady and old man who are struggling for life but still firmly proclaims: "I believe in one God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth ... ". The Church also includes scientists, astronauts, engineers, doctors and those with high academic qualifications, but they are not completely satisfied and continue to search for Truth. They are amazed at the power of God and say, "Lord, our Lord, how glorious is thy name throughout all the earth" (Psalm 8: 2).
Peter experienced God with his heart; Paul did it with his mind. Peter's heart was always open and he was sincerely repent after the fall. Paul was so enthusiastic in persecuting the Christians, but then he totally changed his life after his fall.
If we only experience God with the heart, our faith could be placed in danger of becoming maudlin sentiment and easily misled. If we only perceive God with the brain, our faith could be placed in danger of becoming a bunch of empty theories.
Through the encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, the pure faith of Paul is supplemented by love: "Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Does the distress, misery, hunger, danger, persecution, or sword? As it is written: Because of him that every day we killed, were considered as sheep to slaughter. But in all this trial, we complete victory through him who loved us" (Romans 8, 35-37).
Through years of education and his emotional maturity of faith Peter was transformed. He was reinforced: "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.i But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer. But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name." (1 Peter 4, 14-16)
The lives and mission of the two saints show us that true Christians accept the Lord with their whole hearts and minds. That is why we Christians should learn the Church teachings and devote ourselves to prayer, learning to understand the teachings of God so that we can go deeper into the mystery of God’s love.
Through the lives of the two saints, we no longer feel that we cannot live our faith because each of us can contribute our part to build the Church, no matter who we are: farmers, intellectuals, poets, artists or writers. Even the sick, who suffer physically and mentally, are called to sanctify themselves by listening to the Word of God which can bring them joy, peace and happiness.
Saints Peter and Paul, pray for each one of us.
Translator: BD
Source: hdgmvietnam.org
