This solemnity marks the conclusion of the academic year in the Northern Hemisphere. In St Peter's Square we see the statues of the two saints - Paul holding his sword and Peter bearing the keys. The danger in an adversarial culture like ours is that people will attempt to set the two great saints against each other. The theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar is a remedy for this inclination. He speaks of the different aspects or principles of the Church which can also be referred to as universal concretes. these are historical individuals who come to represent the life of the Church and give us an insight into the great mystery. Paul, in this analysis, is the missionary aspect of the Church. Peter represents the juridical and canonical aspect of the Church. Our Lady is the holiness of the Church while St John the Evangelist is the contemplative aspect. As a result, we do not pit Peter and Paul against each other as if we are looking at both sides of the tragic split of the Reformation. Rather, both men have their charism and their strengths. Both are necessary to the life of the Church and speak to us of their great faith which endured to the end in their glorious martyrdoms. Paul writes: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on the last day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Tim 4: 7-8)
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