The Lord “delivered me from all my fears.” —Psalm 34:5
St. Peter was in prison, perhaps a day away from death. God sent an angel to miraculously rescue Peter (Acts 12:7ff). St. Paul likewise faced imminent death, but the Lord rescued him from the lion’s jaws, perhaps literally (2 Tm 4:17). The early Christians were frequently martyred by being thrown to hungry lions.
On these above occasions, the Lord rescued Sts. Peter and Paul from death.
However, both of them were eventually martyred for their faith, proving their sincere devotion to the Lord Jesus, witnessing to Him with their very lives. Peter and Paul represent the universal Church which testifies to the entire world, Jew and Gentile, about the victory of Jesus Christ, Head of the Church (Col 1:18). They trusted God with their lives and bore enduring fruit for the glory of God (Jn
15:8, 16).
Are you afraid to “proclaim the Kingdom of God”? (Lk 9:60)Are you afraid to be a fisher of men and women? (Lk 5:10) Take courage from the example of these two great saints. Boldly witness to Jesus Christ and lay down your life for the glory of God and the furthering of His Kingdom.
Prayer: “I wish to know Christ and the power flowing from His resurrection; likewise to know how to share in His sufferings by being formed into the pattern of His death” (Phil 3:10).
Promise: “I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” —Mt 16:19
