Embracing the Embrace

Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles

Most saints have a day set aside for them. For example, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is honored on January 4^th. The day is chosen because that’s when they entered eternal life, or, in the case of the Virgin Mary or John the Baptist, when it’s their birthday. Other saints are celebrated in pairs or groups, like Timothy and Titus, or Charles Lwanga and Companions. This is often because they were related, worked together, or were martyred together. Regardless, Mass in honor of them is usually a Memorial, or sometimes the higher rank of Feast.

Sts. Peter and Paul stand apart in a few ways. First, today was chosen not to remember their martyrdom, but because June 29^th is the traditional anniversary of the founding of Rome. Second, the Church accords this Mass the highest liturgical rank of Solemnity. Finally, their icon, or the traditional image used to teach about them, is unusual. Most icons feature symbols held by the saint, such as the cross for St. Francis or the infant Jesus for Mary; however, the icon of Sts. Peter and Paul depicts them embracing.

I wondered why, so I looked around for answers. It seems that some people focus not on the embrace but on the distinctions or differences between the men: Peter symbolizing governance and Paul missionary work, or Peter the Church’s highest authority figure and Paul her greatest theologian. Others claimed that in the icon the two men appear to be looking past one another, inferring that Peter and Paul may not have seen see eye to eye.

While there is truth in these perspectives, we must embrace the embrace. Even if the two figures do symbolize major aspects of the Church, like governance and missions or authority and theology, what does the embrace signify, if not that neither one can do without the other? The Church must be governed and there must be authority, but who will be governed or under authority unless the missions bring people in and theologians enlighten them about the mysteries of God? Paul understood that. Although he did have trouble with Peter, he still recognized his authority; he only preached the gospel after going to Jerusalem and meeting with Peter (Galatians 1:18). Even years later, Paul returned to Jerusalem, met with Peter, James, and John, and ensured they were in unity (Galatians 2:9). And it worked both ways; although Peter did say that Paul was hard to understand at times, he also referred to him as our beloved brother (2 Peter 3:15-16).

So, as we remember them today, let us keep this embrace in mind, for Sts. Peter and Paul are patron saints of more than just the city of Rome; they are the patron saints of everyone who hears the word of God and tries to do it, who embraces not only those who agree with them but those who don’t, who embraces their own humanity and allows God to sanctify it, and who offer themselves completely, that the will of God be done.

Sts. Peter and Paul, pray for us.

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