Have You Seen These Two Men? Peter and Paul, Apostles Commemoration on June 29

 

If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul,

you can tell the love of Jesus and say, "He died for all."

African American Spiritual

Peter and Paul, Apostles, are commemorated by the church on June 29th. We recall their lives and work because they point us to Christ.

They are often called "pillars of the church" since their early work helped to establish the church.

Peter by El Greco 1541-1614

Peter was with Jesus from the early days of his ministry. It was Peter who stepped out of a boat to go to Jesus on the sea - and then nearly drowned when fear overtook him. While Jesus was under arrest, it was Peter who denied him three times and then "wept bitterly." Peter's charismatic sermon brought 3,000 people into the church at Pentecost.

The Conversion of Paul
Caravaggio 1571-1610

Paul's story was different. He was not with Jesus from the beginning; instead, he persecuted the early church. Under his authority some of the early believers were executed - including Stephen. Later, Paul became a missionary to the Gentiles, carrying the gospel from its cradle in Israel. He established churches and continued to be in contact with them through writing epistles. These epistles formed much of our theology about Jesus.

You might not notice them, but you pass Peter and Paul each time you enter the nave of St. Mark's. Wooden plaques of the two saints are on either side of the baptismal font. As you enter the nave, Paul is on the left. Peter, holding the key to the kingdom, is on the right. The key is a reference to "the office of the keys" and shows us the church's authority to offer the absolution of sins.

The carvings were moved to their present location when the new nave opened in 1984. Before that, they resided in niches on either side of the altar in the old nave.

Have you ever wondered where they came from?

Pastor William Trexler has shared much history of St. Mark's with me, so he was a natural person to ask. He thought they were purchased by Pastor Biemiller. Beyond that, his only knowledge was that people used to call them "the Mexicans."

Pastor Biemiller came to St. Mark's in 1969, but the carvings can be seen in a confirmation photo from 1962. That was during the time of Pastor Nordsiek - and it means they've been a part of our worship space for 60 years. Interestingly, when the carvings are turned over, the word "Mexico" is written prominently across the back. That must be why they were called, "the Mexicans."

The confirmation class of 1962 with Peter and Paul in the background.

The two saints also looked on at the 1979 wedding of Stacey Smith.
This photo, from Erik Smith's collection, is used with Stacey's permission.

If anyone knows "the rest of the story," please let me know so I can "fill in the blanks."

This prayer is designated for the commemoration of Peter and Paul, Apostles:

Almighty God, we praise you that your apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdoms. Grant that your church throughout the world may always be instructed by their teaching and example, be knit together in unity by your Spirit, and ever stand firm upon the one foundation who is Jesus Christ our Lord, for he lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

(Sundays and Seasons)

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Sources:

By El Greco - [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11900127

By Caravaggio - Self-scanned, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15219745

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