Delivered by Lukitananda Putra, Svara Nirmala, and Stella Wijaya from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 12: 1-11; Rs psalm 34: 2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9; 2 Tomothy 4: 6-8.17-18; Matthew 16: 13-19.

THEY ARE BOTH SPECIAL

Our meditation today is entitled: TheyAre Both Special. The proof of the apostles Peter and Paul's faith in Christthat is in our hands is the New Testament of the holy Scripture. Each of themhas a very unique story that continues to inspire us. They inherit to us thewritings we know through their letters. This is the fact of narration, words,and stories.

Other evidences about them can bereferred to the facts of the stages, locations, or places they were everencountered. Now the Church makes use of these evidences as holy places andmeans of devotion for Christians. At present, the truth is that the stage thattestifies to the world about these two apostles is the city of Rome in Italy.They were actually Jewish people in the Palestine. But at present there arehardly any traces of relics from both Saints Peter and Paul found on thePalestinian lands.

When people made a pilgrimage toJerusalem and the area of ​​the Sea of ​​Galilee and its surroundings, thestage evidences of these two apostles are very limited. Only the city of Jesusin Capernaum can provide some solid facts, for example there are ruins inPeter's in-laws. But when people visit Rome in Italy they will get many stagefacts about these two great apostles. Among these many facts, what the visitorslike most are their tombs. Each of the tomb now stands on St. Peter's Basilicaand St. Paul's Basilica.

Acts of the Apostoles tell a littledrama of their journey to Rome to face the trials ruled by the Roman authority.Historical records of the Christian Church provide other details about theprocess of severe punishment of Peter and Paul in Rome. Time and history thenprove that the stage of the city of Rome give the highest witnesses of JesusChrist, namely through the martyrdom of Peter and Paul. Their shedding of bloodis fruitful in the growing of the Christian faith that is increasinglyworldwide. At present, Rome and especially the Vatican are the central stage ofthe Catholic Church, especifically because of the apostles Peter and Paul whohad opened the way to it.

In Jerusalem and Judea, the initialstages of the call of Peter and Paul were proved true, in Rome they both showedthat the choice of following Jesus Christ must be radical, in the scripturesthey continue to teach the truth about Jesus Christ, and in heaven they areboth our proud models, praiseworthy saints. In this solemnity of Peter and Paulwe should be grateful for our universal and apostolic Church.

Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O Lord, may Your blessings make us fully devoted to Your Church likethe apostles Peter and Paul. Hail Mary full of grace ... In the name of theFather ...