(Acts 12:1-11; Psalm 33; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18; Matthew 16:13-19)

With the election of our new Pope, Pope Leo still freshly in our minds the words in today’s Gospel have a fresh significance. Pope Leo has been chosen by the Conclave, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as the successor of Peter. The responsibility of the Office he now holds is summed up in the words we hear Jesus speak today “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” When Simon [Peter] heard those words spoken by Christ, the infant Church had maybe a few hundred followers by the most optimistic of guesses; today there are more than 1.4 billion Catholics and around another 1.2 billion other Christians in the world. The Christian population is expected to reach 3.3 billion in the next 25 years. [1]

In this digital age, the recent conclave seemed to be everywhere; on the news and social media. One of the many learning points for me was the name of the anti-chamber where the newly elected Pope changes from his red cardinal clothing to the white worn by the Holy Father. This is known as the room of tears.[2] This is a room where the newly elected have started to realise the enormity of what they have just given their consent to. For example, in 1878 Pope Leo XIII is reported to have wept because at the age of 67 he thought he was too old for the job. (He lived to be the second-oldest pope and died at the age of 93).[3]

This solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul bringing the two great apostles together on the same day is a great day for those of us who struggle with our faith. St Peter the ‘rock on which the Church was built’ denied Jesus three times at a time when most observers would think he needed to provide support. St Paul’s first mention in the Gospel was under the name of Saul, where he, as a persecutor of the Church, approved of the stoning of St Stephen [one of the first deacons]. But as we know from Scriptures, neither of these acts brought condemnation from Jesus. After the Resurrection Jesus sought out Peter on the shore and over breakfast allowed Peter to revoke his denials and profess his love for Christ three times.  St Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and was called to turn his zeal for capturing Christians for punishment into a zeal for capturing souls for Jesus.

These two apostles gave their lives for Jesus; they dedicated their life to spreading the Good News and gave up their souls as martyrs of the early Church. The growth of the Church from a few members into billions started with the work of these men and their fellow apostles under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Church continues to have people give up their lives for Jesus. The tragic events in Damascus last week where at least 25 Christians were martyred[4] and in the previous week in Nigeria where at least 218 Christians were martyred[5] demonstrates that Church members are still being persecuted today; because they love and follow Jesus.

The friends and families of those left behind have also had to endure their own room of tears. Whilst they weep locally, the world outside their immediate vicinity seems to go on with barely a mention on the main broadcasts of mainstream media or perhaps a byline in the inner pages deep within the published news media. Christian lives do not seem to matter to those who bring us the news; is it any wonder that Christian voices are often ignored when major issues like abortion or assisted suicide are debated by legislators with laws being passed in the past few weeks which herald a new age in our country under a culture of death. These new laws allow the slaughter of innocent babies right up to birth and will irrevocably change the relationship between doctors and patients when people are diagnosed with life limiting conditions and the doctors, instead of looking at treatments to preserve quality of life or to manage pain, will be asked to start conversations with their patients; asking them about ending their life. Sadly, the MPs which represent the majority of our Pastoral Area voted in favour of both of these laws; which is shameful.

The feeling of being ignored can lead us to either give up or to knuckle down and work harder to get our message across. The two great apostles, Peter and Paul did not let imprisonment, shipwrecks, violence or the loss of colleagues deter them. They worked for the Lord until their last breath. Every one of us, who have been baptised, have been baptised as priest prophet and king; it is our Baptismal duty to share the Good News, even if those who we are speaking to appear to be deaf to our voice.

Are you prepared to do this, with the help of the Holy Spirit?

[The further reading this week has a passage which allows every Christian to contemplate their own Room of tears, you may find it useful].

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

June 29: The Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul

CCC 153, 424, 440, 442, 552, 765, 880-881: Saint Peter
CCC 442, 601, 639, 642, 1508, 2632-2633, 2636, 2638: Saint Paul

The Room of Tears: Where the Holy Spirit Speaks in Silence – Catholicus.eu English

Please keep in your prayers this week

  • Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
  • Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
  • Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
  • Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
  • Sophia and Freya who will be baptised this weekend in St Bede’s.

Deacon Tony

26th June 2025.

[1] Global Christian Population Projected to Reach 3.3 Billion by 2050 – Good Faith Media

[2] The Room of Tears: Where the Holy Spirit Speaks in Silence – Catholicus.eu English

[3] The Room of Tears: Where new popes go right after their election – EWTN Great Britain

[4] Syria: Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills 25 – BBC News

[5] Attack on Nigerian Christians prompts urgent global response – Mission Network News