“Peter, foremost in confessing the faith, 

Paul, its outstanding preacher”.

The world’s media is focussed on the World Cup.  Certain footballers, especially forwards, are receiving much attention, adulation and even worship.  Images of Messi, Ronaldo, Haaland and Kane are held up as if they were gods to be prayed to.  I’ve also noticed in recent years how certain players and managers who are still alive have been immortalised in statues.

What we celebrate today is far more important than all this!  We celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the two great saints at the foundation of the Church who are seen as being effectively the first two popes of the Catholic Church.

It is a strange truth that saints who are intended to inspire us as role models can actually put us off.  How could we ever be like the saints?  We might look at our own lives and rightly conclude that we do not compare very favourably with such people.

Saints Peter and Paul are very good examples of saints who were far from perfect and who were still chosen by Our Lord.  They overcame their failings and weaknesses and triumphed.  Surely, this should encourage us that no matter the state of our lives at present, by God’s grace, we too could experience a similar turnaround.

St Peter famously denied Jesus three times, despite Jesus warning him that he was going to do this.  And yet, after his Resurrection, Jesus gave Peter three chances to restate his love and he appointed him as the “rock” on which he would build his Church.

St Paul was even worse!  He persecuted Christians and even, as in the case of St Stephen, approved of their execution.  It was only after his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus that he began to follow the one true God and he became one of the greatest missionaries the Church has ever known.  He was the “Apostle to the Gentiles” and made three journeys around the Mediterranean lands and was responsible for the birth of many Christian communities.

So, I do still expect to watch a bit more of the World Cup and to enjoy it, but the great shouts and celebrations should be reserved for these two great saints. 

God bless, Fr Kevin.