Happy Feast Day, everyone again—especially to those named Peter and Paul!

We all carry certain identities. I am Peter. You may be Paul. He is Fr. Brian. But most of these names—we didn’t choose for ourselves. They were given to us. So how do we truly identify ourselves?

At our Thursday evening prayer, Loretta shared a poem that began with the phrase “I am...”—and reflected on all the different roles we carry in life. She wrote that we all have “I am” roles—across gender, family, and our daily vocations.

For girls, you might say: I am a girl, a woman, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a grandmother, aunt, or niece. For boys, you might say: I am a boy, a man, a husband (oh wait—no chance for me already!), but could a father which is spiritual, I am a son, a brother, a grandfather, an uncle, or a nephew.

Then there are even more specific identities based on our culture, faith, or sports. For example, I am Catholic. I am Chinese. Don’t forget I am a Swans supporter!

We all have many “I am” identities. But in today’s Gospel, Jesus changed the question. He doesn’t ask “Who are you?” He asks: “Who do you say I am?”

It’s a powerful question—and not just for the apostles, but for each of us. Before we reflect on our own answer, let us first see how Peter and Paul answered this question and How God works through these two men to build the same Church. Two men were from different backgrounds, different personalities, even different journeys. However, both of them were called, transformed, and sent out by the same Lord Jesus Christ.

Saint Peter: Let us begin with Peter. He was a fisherman. A simple man with full of Passion.

When Peter first met Jesus, he asked Him, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” And Jesus replied, “Come and see.” Peter went—and stayed with Him. That simple invitation left a deep impression on him… and on me.

It resonates deeply with my own vocation. When I first began my journey with the SVD religious community, I told myself the same thing: Come and see. If this life wasn’t for me, I could just go home. But that thought never returned. I stayed with the SVD, and with Jesus for last eleven years. Peter’s first encounter with Jesus still stays with me today.

Of course, Peter wasn’t perfect. He doubted when He walked on the water. He promised to stay—and then denied Jesus three times. But he also believed, asked forgiveness, and returned. And that’s why he became the rock—not because of his strength, but because of his relationship with Christ. That gives hope to all of us. Because like Peter, we may stumble, we may doubt—but Jesus keeps asking, “Do you love me?” not one time, but three times and inviting us to follow again.

Finally Peter Said to Jesus: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life...” Looking back at everything Peter had been through—his calling, his doubts, his failures, and his forgiveness—Peter finally understood who Jesus truly was. That was his moment of revelation: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Saint Paul: Now let us turn to Paul. Paul was a scholar. Educated, disciplined, strong in his convictions. On the road to Damascus, when Jesus appeared to him, Paul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” And Jesus replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” After that, Paul was blinded for three days—but when he opened his eyes again, he didn’t just see with new eyes—he lived with a new heart.

From that moment, Paul’s life became his answer. He turned his whole life around and spent the rest of his days travelling, preaching, suffering, writing, and gave his whole life to proclaim the Gospel. That’s why he wrote half the New Testament. And today, his letters still guide the Church. His witness still strengthens our faith. Paul’s life shows us that No matter how many mistakes we’ve made… how stubborn we’ve been… Jesus can reach us, turn us around, and give our lives a new meaning.

At the end of Paul’s life, in the second reading, Paul wrote something deeply moving. He said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

What About Us?

St Peter reminds us to stay grounded in the truth of Christ. St Paul reminds us to go out bravely and share that truth. Together, they show us what it means to be missionary disciples.

Saints Peter and Paul were not perfect. But they were transformed by grace, and they allowed Christ to use them in different ways.

We may not be asked to travel the world like st Paul, or to lead a Church like st Peter. But we are asked to be faithful where we are. To bring Christ into our homes, our schools, our daily life, and our communities.

The Lord is still asking each of us today: “Who do you say I am?” St Peter has answered with faith. St Paul has answered with transformation. Both gave their lives to proclaim who Jesus is.

And now Jesus is inviting us, not just to answer with words—but with lives transformed by love. So today, as we honour these two saints, let’s also renew our own faith, To follow, To serve and to say with our lives: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Because the same God who called Peter and Paul… is still calling us. Even now.  

Let us pray to them:

Saint Peter, pray for us.
Saint Paul, pray for us.
Amen.