The feast of the two great apostles and martyrs, columns of the Church, is a day of celebration about the Church today, in which gratitude is expressed for apostolic continuity. This holiday invites us to reflect on the importance of apostolic succession and how much the faithful appreciate this promise of Christ, who founded it on solid rock. On this day, the Pope is especially remembered, who boldly seeks to guide and care all the faithful.
The biblical passage, in which Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him, allows us to understand the responsibility of a shepherd towards the entrusted sheep. Deep and sincere love for the faithful is essential to exercise this pastoral role. However, sometimes we find fluctuations in this love, where indifference veils compassion and boredom, impatience, and even bad temper. Therefore, it is a daily duty to strive to keep that flame of original love alive.
Love conquers all
The readings of the eve, specifically those starring Peter and Paul, provide clear examples of the pastoral love that Jesus wanted to confirm with his questions. Peter, upon finding himself in front of a sick person outside the temple, shows his concern and interest in others. He takes the opportunity to exercise the power given to him to heal and takes pity, reaches out and heals him. This power, which shepherds also possess in full, will only cause them to exercise it, to the extent that they love the entrusted sheep.
The task of going out and evangelizing is another fundamental aspect of the Church, both in the past, developed by Paul and the nascent community, and today. To bring the message of love and faith to others, it is necessary to have a deep love for God and humanity. If you do not love the faithful and the brothers in general, how can you bring the good news to them? Thanks to this love that is felt for the other, the desire arises to share the greatest gift received: faith in Jesus Christ.
The Church must be a reflection of Christ, keeping alive the flame of love for God and for others. It must be, even more so today, a light for others, a field hospital that welcomes and reaches out to those who need it most, without exclusions, whether they come injured or confused. In this way, those who approach it will be able to find living water to quench their thirst.
The examples of Peter and Paul are inspiring for this. You can learn from them by reading their writings in the New Testament and knowing their history and how they organized the Church. Their love and dedication to their people serve as an encouragement for everyone and, especially, for those who have followed in his footsteps as pastors of the People of God.
“You are Peter”
It is important to remember that supporting and defending the Pope means doing so with someone who represents the figure of Saint Peter himself. Although there may be disagreements or different perspectives, there is no reason to fall into the fixation of the customary opponent and even less generate distrust and disorientation in others. The Church of these times – and always – must maintain the strength of its uniqueness, since it is part of its distinctive seal.
On this day of celebration of the validity of the Church in the world, it is fair to entrust the Holy Father, who has the responsibility of leading the Church, sometimes against the current, avoiding those who want to pontificate like him.
May that prayer reach heaven, so that Peter’s successor has the wisdom and guts to build bridges and make friends with Catholicism with a sector of humanity that lives apart because of the scandals it has seen.
And not only that, but it is also broken by the bad treatments that sometimes has received, and furious, because the Church is given a space and benefits in society, without being clear about why…
That prayer will be the strength that Pope Francis requires today, to fulfill his mission of guiding a Church that illuminates the world, in an effort to be coherent, purposeful and bold. Make a mess! Don’t balcony! Long live the Pope!
