Homily: Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul
Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul (2021) “Am I led by My Head or My Heart?”
St. Peters in Rome is the church we identify most with that city. It is a wonderful Renaissance building that was built over the burial place of St. Peter. St. Paul Outside the Walls is on the edge of the city. Again, it was built to mark the grave of St. Paul the Apostle.
This is a feast, not only a time to remember these churches, but it is also time to remember the two apostles. Peter and Paul were two men who could not have been more different, but they were thrown together by fate. They ended up dying in the same place miles away from their home.
Paul was the well-educated Pharisee who provided Christianity its Theology. Jesus never wrote anything down. Paul wrote a large portion of the New Testament. Whenever a religious figure founds a movement there are people who come along later who may provide context for the religious movement. St. Francis, for example founded the Franciscan order, but it was St. Bonaventure who followed him and provided the theology behind the Franciscan Order.
We remember also that St. Paul, as a neophyte Christian, got most of his information about Jesus from Peter. Paul never knew Jesus personally. We don’t know if he ever saw Jesus while our Lord lived. Jesus called Paul after the resurrection as Paul was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians.
It is always said that some people are converted by using intellectual arguments. Others are converted through the passion of Christians who are fervent in their beliefs. We might say that Paul was the Apostle to the head people. Peter was the Apostle to the heart people.
Both Peter and Paul were fully committed to their beliefs. Their zeal inspired them to traverse the ancient world trying to build up the church. Both decided to die rather than deny their faith. They both died a martyr’s death. Their lives were intertwined until the end.
Reflection Questions,
- When it comes to faith am I a head person or a heart person? What kind of religious experience moves me?
- Is a balance of head and heart in making decisions a good thing? What happens when one or the other dominates?
Dear Parishioners,
Remember that we have a Mass at Sacred Heart on Thanksgiving Day at 8 a.m. It would seem appropriate to give thanks for all the blessings that we have received over the last year.
The first pilgrims took time to thank God for surviving their first year in the new world. Thanking God is at the core of this holiday. If you or your family can come to Mass to begin your Thanksgiving celebration it would be very apropos.
We also will have a food drive that morning. Food will be given to St. Mary food pantry. We probably all want to share our resources so that everyone may eat during the holidays.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark