Sts. Peter & Paul, though as different from each other as chalk and cheese, were nonetheless the two most important men in the Early Church, both of whom moulded and directed the Church in her earliest days.

Peter, a Galilean fisherman, was chosen by Christ as the “Rock” on which He would build His church. Christ gave him the keys of the kingdom and power to “bind” or “loose”. Although he feared death and denied Christ thrice, his faith in the Risen Saviour now made him fearless in the face of death.

Paul, too, a persecutor of the Church is changed by his encounter with the Risen Christ. He now becomes a fearless preacher of the Good News. He writes to Timothy in a victorious tone, “I am being poured out as a libation... I have completed the race, I have kept the faith. Now all that awaits me is the crown of righteousness.” He also confesses that the “Lord gave me strength”.

We, too, have known the Risen Christ. How has that changed our lives?