We have the special; privilege this year of celebrating the fest of St Peter and St. Paul on a Sunday. These were two pivotal figures in the Early Church, two indispensable players. Peter was a professional fisherman from Capernaum on the shores of the Sea of Galilee; he was a small businessman, not very rich, not very poor. He was a man with a big heart with little formal education. Paul was from the Jewish Diaspora from Tarsus in Asia Minor, which would be modern southeast Turkey. He was a very well-educated man, a very cultured man especially in his native Judaism. He was a professional debater. These two very different men had one thing in common, their love for Jesus Christ, a love that brought each of them to their death. The church has kept these two figures together. Rome became famous because both died in Rome. Why has the church kept these two people together?  Because they represent two different archetypes in the life of the church. Peter is the archetype of office and order in the church. Jesus chose him to be the leader of the church and from the early days of the community he was their spokesperson. Peter’s leadership is linked and in clear correlation to his profession of faith which is the gospel we have in our mass today.  His leadership is in close relationship to the fact that he knew who Jesus is and had the courage to profess it.  The integrity of his faith and the courage of his profession are very important. Leadership based on the integrity of faith and the courage to profess it; without this the church would have dissolved. If a parish, if a diocese, if the universal church does not have clear leadership, it will fall apart, it would turn into a debating society or a loose confederation of like-minded individuals.  While this Petrine ministry is important it had to be balanced by the Pauline ministry.  Paul represents mission, evangelization and the outward projection of Christianity. Paul was the first true theologian; this is the example of faith seeking understanding. Doctrine in the church needs to unfold, develop and elaborate; without this dynamism the church would run out of steam, it would be petrified. If the church is to succeed it must include the Petrine and Pauline dimensions, therefore it is only right and fitting that we celebrate together these two great saints.