SAINTS AND PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES (SOLEMNITY)

I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 

Have you ever heard of sports psychologists? One of their main roles is to help athletes recover from a big mistake during a game. They help the athlete acknowledge the problem, analyze what went wrong, and make the necessary adjustments so that they can regain their confidence.

Today we celebrate the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul. The New Testament is filled with stories about how these men heroically devoted themselves to building the Church, but it doesn’t shy away from recounting times when they made their own mistakes. All we have to do is remember the story of Peter denying Jesus three times and Paul’s violent persecution of Jesus’ early followers!

Those early failings could have made these two apostles feel too ashamed to take up roles of leadership in the Church. But they were able to let go of that shame and move forward with confidence in God’s mercy and love. They may not have had a sports psychologist to counsel them, but they had something even better: the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps the memory of your own past failings has been holding you back. Maybe you think that there are other people better suited to serve at your parish or in your neighborhood. If that sounds like you, remember Peter and Paul. Let their examples inspire you to move beyond your past. Let them convince you that you don’t have to be defined by your sins or your weaknesses or your failings. Covered in the mercy of Christ, you can serve and make a difference.

Remember also the Holy Spirit. Ask him for the courage you need to step out in faith. Ask him to give you a double portion of God’s love and to help you grow in confidence.

Part of what separates saints like Peter and Paul from the rest of us is their humble ability to learn from their failings and their willingness to keep serving the Lord in spite of them. May we all learn how to keep moving forward, no matter what!

“Holy Spirit, help me grow through my mistakes as I serve your people.”

Acts 12:1-11
Psalm 34:2-9
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

WORD AMONG US