When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

It often makes us wonder how buildings of tens or even hundreds of stories can stand tall and secure even with earthquakes or the daily weight the structure bears. But we know that this is possible because there are main pillars that are so constructed as to be able to support the weight of the whole building.

The bigger and the stronger these pillars, the more likely the buildings last or withstand the forces of nature. So also with social groups like families or the Church. In the family, the parents serve as the pillars that support the family.

The father is often given pride of place as the pillar, but in reality, the mother, too, is equally a pillar. In fact, the absence of the mother makes or breaks the family. But as a whole, the two of them must work together if the family is to stand and remain strong.

Today, in the Church, we celebrate the feast of our two pillar-apostles: Sts. Peter and Paul. Each had a different background, one from the countryside, and the other from the city. Peter, originally a fisherman, was appointed leader of the Twelve and designated as the rock (“kephas”) upon which Jesus would build his Church.

And St. Paul, formerly a tent maker, a Pharisee, and persecutor of the Church, was especially chosen to bring the good news of salvation to the Gentiles. They were chosen as pillars, probably not because they were perfect or because of their outstanding qualities, but because weak as they were, God saw potentials in them for leadership and pastoral care, not to mention zeal.

Once they opened themselves more and more to God’s grace, they became even stronger pillars and reliable leaders. Nowadays, we thank God that he continually blesses the Church with good and strong pillars in our Pope, bishops, priests, and lay leaders.

They, like Peter and Paul, are also human, with their own strengths and weaknesses but by God’s grace are helped to overcome their weaknesses and endowed with wisdom and pastoral care over those entrusted to their care. In civil society, too, we choose “pillars” upon whom we can depend for the promotion of the common good.

Unfortunately, not all of them are good examples, although we also have very dedicated and self-sacrificing ones. That is why it is very important to scrutinize well who we will put into office, and not just vote because of money. May the example of Sts. Peter and Paul who both gave their lives for the faith inspire our Church and civil leaders, so that the flock entrusted to their care can progress and live in peace and security.