Homily for June 29, 2025

Today, on the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, we celebrate the words and deeds of these two saints. We remember so much of what they did, even to the point of giving their own life for their friend Jesus—both martyred.    When we say that “actions speak louder than words,” martyrdom—giving your own life—is the greatest expression.   But even martyrdom does not do away with words. Actions can put bodily form to words, but we still need the words!

The use of language largely defines us and separates us from all other creatures. Made in God’s image & likeness, we have the capacity to be in communion with an-other.   I think these two saints are a good example for us of the faith in action and the faith on the lips.   We can sometimes shy away so much from speaking about our faith b/c we fear to fall into a kind of hypocrisy—that we will fall into sin.    Is that the right attitude? This shyness of sharing our experience of faith in God can become an obstacle to grow in that same faith.

‘’Here we have the lives of two men who were perfect from the beginning. God chose Peter and Paul b/c of their excellence. Peter never doubted his leadership or fisherman skills. Paul followed the true doctrine and always taught it with his whole heart. Jesus chose them as Apostles b/c they were holy.‘’      Well; you might have noticed how none of that is true—it’s even silly! They weren’t perfect or excellent; that’s not why Jesus chose them as Apostles.   But isn’t that the measure we place for ourselves—I am not good enough/holy enough, so I can’t share my faith. Think again! 

Everybody doubted! Ananias, when Jesus told him to lay his hands on Paul, he pushed back: Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem.    Not only was he not perfect, but Paul was known for the evil things he had done!   Peter doubted when he was walking on water and began to sink/he doubted the Lord’s way in the crucifixion and denied the Lord.   O you of little faith, why did you doubt?   Even in their doubt, they obeyed the Lord: Ananias placed his hands on Paul and things like scales fell from his eyes. Peter walked on water with Jesus, even if briefly; he denied Jesus but later confessed his love for Christ.   Their doubt was not greater than their trust in Jesus.

Both endured incarceration. Paul wrote several of his letters from jail. One was crucified upside down, another beheaded.   Their bodies confirmed and consummated the faith and the love that their lips professed.   It is much like the exchange of consent in marriage. What the couple expresses with their bodies is what they have uttered when their marriage covenant began:“I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”   Immediately after Paul was baptized, he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Peter spoke immediately after the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost.   The faith they professed with their lips paved the way for their actions. They professed with their lips that Jesus is Lord.

We too, every time we go to Confession, we live a St. Peter moment b/c, by being there, we first confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; we confess that God is merciful.    And only in that light do we confess our sins.   That’s how Jesus saw Peter and forgave him, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.    In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we confess Truth—that Jesus is Lord, the Christ—and that He takes away our sins.

We must keep on with that St. Peter moment: Feed my sheep.   No, I am not too young/too insignificant/not perfect enough. You are just right; you’re the perfect person to confess your faith with your lips and feed others with your faith story—we don’t only profess our faith in a few moments with the Nicene creed, but especially outside of these walls.   ‘Oh, but I don’t want people to look at me weird.’    They were both in chains!

Our words matter/they are powerful! We use the exact same tongue to share that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, or to put down our brothers and sisters by lies/gossip/slander.   And whatever words we utter: a confession of Christ’s Lordship and blessing or of a curse and ill-intention to others,   the corresponding actions will follow.

Ss. Peter and Paul give us a great example of “actions speak louder than words,” but their words were loud and clear, and their actions followed proportionally.   We also need to follow in their footsteps. We know that the Lord doesn’t expect us to be perfect to share our faith/how God has touched our lives—if He expected us to be saints already, He wouldn’t have chosen Simon and Saul,   even further: He wouldn’t have had the need to become Incarnate!   Yes, actions speak louder than words, but there need to be words to our faith so that we can embody them.