Throughout most of its history, the Church has linked the two major figures of Peter and Paul, so it is fitting that they share this feast day. However, also throughout most of the Church’s history, Peter has been given greater regard and has held a more significant place in the tradition. In fact, the Church itself is often described as ‘Petrine’ – in the tradition of Peter. Much is made of the line of Popes being traced back to Peter. The authority and structure of the Church is linked to the Petrine model of Church. Describing Peter as the ‘rock’ upon which the Church was built is an excellent image of stability and constancy.
In something of a contrast, the apostle Paul is best known as the great traveller who spread the message of Jesus all around the shores of the Mediterranean, establishing communities of faith wherever he went. His letters – or epistles - to these communities were some of the first Christian writings; predating by 20 years or more the four gospels of the New Testament. Rather than stability and constancy, Paul is identified with growth and change; expansion and openness. Many would argue that without Paul the early Christian communities may not have survived beyond the end of the 1st Century.
Peter and Paul represent two great traditions within the Church: the strength of tradition and oneness associated with Peter; and the valuing of new ideas and outreach to others that typified the work of Paul. Although the Petrine tradition has been dominant for most of the Church’s history, the Pauline tradition was rediscovered in the latter part of the 20th Century and it is now clearly evident that the church needs both of these arms to embrace the world.
© Greg Sunter, https://www.liturgyhelp.com/calendar/date/2025Jun29/0/RefGreSun