WITNESSING TO CHRIST THROUGH WEAKNESS AND GRACE
Homily for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch Bible Readings: Acts 12:1-11; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18; Matthew 16:13-19 A few years ago, a young girl came to me, deeply burdened. She had made serious mistakes in her personal life, failed in the commitment she made to God, and now felt unworthy to speak of God or even show her face in church. “How can I witness to Christ,” she asked, “when I have messed up so much?” I looked at her and said, “You are exactly the kind of person Christ wants and chooses.” Our past does not disqualify us from being used by God. Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, two men who would probably never pass a modern background check for sainthood. One denied Jesus three times while the other once hunted Christians for execution. Yet, it is precisely these men that Christ chose to be the two pillars of his Church. In today’s Gospel, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:15). It was Peter w...
