The Festival of St. Peter and St. Paul

Matthew 16:13-19

+INJ+

As we celebrate the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, maybe you are wondering, why?

Why would we observe this date in the Church’s calendar? Do we need to? No.

Is observing this day worthwhile? Absolutely.

But why?

Well, if you were to open your hymnals to the roman numeral page xii, you’d read,

Our churches teach that the remembrance of the saints is to be commended in order that we may imitate their faith and good works according to our calling. (Augsburg Confession 21)

These words come from the Augsburg Confession, the main document of the Reformation I mentioned last week, and, as you can see, this short statement explains three reasons why we should remember the saints, such as St. Peter and St. Paul. 

First, to thank God for giving faithful servants to His Church. Second, through such remembrance, our faith is strengthened as we see the mercy that God extended to His saints of old. Third, these saints are examples by which we may imitate both their faith and their holy living according to our calling in life.

But pastor, that’s Catholic.

Again, what I just read is from the foundational documents of the Lutheran Church, dating back to the Reformation.

So, let me ask you this: how many of you have the date a loved one who died marked on your calendar? How many of you have these dates programmed into your digital calendars to remind you annually, this is the day my mother, father, sister, brother, husband, or wife died? 

Honestly, many of us don’t need reminders; we just recognize these dreaded dates when they come around each year. But what do you do when these anniversaries of your loved one’s death draw near?

Do you tell stories? Do you find yourself talking to a loved one as if they’re still sitting across from you? Does the smell of food or the taste of drink bring you back to a specific moment in time, a cherished memory?

These situations happen to all of us, and when they do, they become opportunities to reminisce and thank God for placing faithful Christians in His Church and in our lives. To remember through these memories the many ways God extended His mercy and love to these dear saints in our lives, even through trials and tribulations. Or finally, to see the lives of the saints who now dwell in heavenly glory as examples for us to follow as we journey through life as husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends. 

You see, in many different ways, you are already remembering the saints in your lives as you remember those you love and who are now with Jesus. 

So why is this different for the Church today? Why wouldn’t we remember the saints of old, those whose names are written in the Scriptures? Those whom we can certainly relate to, such as St. Peter and St. Paul?

St. Peter, the one who said to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” only to deny Jesus when times became difficult. (Matthew 16:16)

Haven’t you denied Jesus with your words and heart when you deny your faith in front of others, such as when you're asked if you go to church or believe in Jesus Christ? 

What about St. Paul, who persecuted Christians and is believed to have hurled stones at St. Stephen as he was dying. 

Haven’t you persecuted others for their faith? Maybe you’ve mocked each other's beliefs or used your words as weapons against someone because of how they pray or confess their Christian faith.

Still, even while St. Peter and St. Paul had their immense failings, they also heard the voice of Jesus, followed Him, confessed their sins of denial and persecution to Him, and received the forgiveness Jesus won for them and for you upon the cross.

These men are examples for all of us.

No, we shouldn’t follow their example of godlessness, but rather their faithfulness. We should be encouraged in our faith by seeing how Jesus extended His mercy and forgiveness to such sinners. We should imitate the faith, holy living, and zeal with which St. Peter and St. Paul went on to preach and proclaim their faith in Jesus to the four corners of the world. 

But do we?

Probably not as we ought. We’re a timid people. We often don’t believe other people share in our experiences. We don’t see our lives in other people.

But this is exactly why we should remember days like today, why we ought to see our lives in St. Peter and St. Paul, just as we see our lives in our sainted fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, and friends.

All of God’s saints are precious gifts for us, meant to be remembered.

Why, because their lives all point us to Jesus.

So, let me ask you this: Is it wrong to be directed through the lives of others to Jesus?

No, not at all.

Instead, it’s a good reminder that we should not only be thankful for the lives of the faithful but also pray that we too would be so faithful as to be brought into the eternal presence of God when our last day on earth arrives.

As the feasts and festivals of saints appear in the church calendar, we should observe them because they continue to tell the story of Jesus and how He uses His children on earth for the good of His kingdom. When the anniversary of a loved one’s death appears on the calendar, you should also remember them for the faith God granted them and the way their life continues to point you to Christ and His cross.

Because in the end, this is what we all desire: to die a saint. A holy child of God.

As the Psalmist wrote,

Precious in the sight of the LORD

is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15)

+INJ+

Rev. Noah J. Rogness

Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Tomah, WI

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org

The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/