Suggested Emphasis
"Their message goes out through all the earth."
Salesian Perspective
Of Saint Peter, Francis de Sales wrote: “St. Peter was chosen to be the chief of the Apostles, although he was subject to so many imperfections that he even committed some after he had received the Holy Spirit, because, notwithstanding these defects, he was always full of courage, never allowing himself to be dismayed by his shortcomings.” (Conferences, Number IV, Page 63)
Francis expounds upon this duality of Peter’s nature in his Treatise on the Love of God. “Who would not marvel at the heart of St. Peter, so bold among armed soldiers that out of all his master’s company he alone takes his sword in hand and strikes out with it? Yet a little afterwards among ordinary people he is so cowardly that at the mere word of a servant girl he denies and detests his master.” (Book X, Chapter 9, p, 167)
Let’s leave some room for St. Paul, too, shall we? “He fights for all people, he pours forth prayers for all people, he is passionately jealous in behalf of all people, and he is on fire for all people. Yes, he even dared more than this for ‘those according to the flesh,’ so that, if I dare to say so, he desires by charity that they may be put in his place with Jesus Christ. O perfection of courage and unbelievable spirit!” (Treatise, Book X, Chapter 16, pp. 188 – 189)
Of course, as in the case of Peter, Paul, too, has his shortcomings. In a letter of encouragement to a sister of the Visitation, Francis wrote: “Do not be ashamed…any more than St. Paul who confessed that there were two men in him, one rebellious to God and the other obedient to God.” (Stopp, Selected Letters, page 224.)
Indeed, their message – as we see as clearly in their lives as we hear in their words – continues to go out through all the earth. And this message could not be any clearer or more relevant now than it was nearly 200 years ago: “God chooses the weak and makes them strong in bearing witness…” (Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer: Martyrs)
God chooses the weak and makes them strong in bearing witness to the power and promise of his love. God chose Peter and Paul in their time to be heralds of the Good News.
God chooses us, in our time. The Lord chooses us as we are – imperfect, cracks, warts and all – and makes us something strong, beautiful, powerful and passionate, for God…and for one another.
Let God’s message – and yours – go out through all the earth, especially to those with whom you share life every day.
Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is the Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.
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