Peter and John, from action to contemplation
The Church knows of two lives advocated and recommended by God. One in faith, the other in vision; one in our pilgrimage through time, the other in the abode of eternity; one in working, the other in repose; one on the way, the other in our homeland; one in the labor of action, the other in the reward of contemplation... The first is represented by the apostle Peter, the second by John. The first wholly takes place here below until the end of the world and then comes to an end. The second only reaches its fulfillment after the world's end; in the world to come it will never end.
This is why Jesus says to Peter: “Follow me” and, referring to John: “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me”... Let your action follow me, perfect and modeled on the example of my Passion; let the contemplation that has begun remain until my return: I will perfect it when I come again. For this persevering fervor that stands firm to the death is a following of Christ; and this knowledge that will then be manifested in fullness remains until the return of Christ. Here, in the country of mortal men, we must undergo the afflictions of this world; there, we shall contemplate the Lord's blessings in the land of the living (Ps 27[26],13)...
So let no one divide one from the other of these two, glorious apostles; for both are contained in what Peter symbolizes and both will be in what John represents.
| Saturday, May 18, 2013 St. Felix Porri of Cantalice, Capuchin, Religious (Feast) |
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