St. Peter and St. Paul...a study of leadership

Jesus' best friend among the Apostles was clearly St. John, St. John was mystical and gentle. His gospel is the most spiritual of Matthew, Luke or Mark. But it was upon Peter, that Christ founded His Church.

Why Peter? Peter was a businessman, he operated a fishing fleet. He was likely well known and had employees, it was a family business. Peter likely had very little education but he knew his craft well. Peter is remarkable for his decisive character. He left his business, all that he knew, to follow Jesus. When Jesus would call, his followers would listen. Matthew left his job, James one of the sons of Zebedee, left his nets and his father's business. When the Word spoke, they followed.

In contrast, Paul was a highly educated Pharisee who studied under the finest minds and he knew the Torah and the teachings. He was consumed by zeal for the truth.

Both men, obeyed an irresitable drive to follow Jesus. There was no looking back.

Our Lord chose Peter, the man who sank in the water, the one whom our Lord rebuked, the man who cut a slaves ear off during Jesus's arrest and then who denied our Lord to become the first Pope. Peter expressed an immense love for God. The question of our Lord 'Do you love me?' was best answered by Peter. Peter was a born leader, even before Jesus nominated him.

Paul on the other hand, was, by all accounts, very zealous and likely the greatest missionary ever, but he was also quarrelsome and fought with his co workers. While Peter wrote two letters, Paul wrote epistles even while he was in prison.

God chose both to lead his church. One for the Gentiles, the other for the Jews. Both men were used to leadership and were respected. Both men had a profound humility. After Paul's miraculous encounter with the living God,

So our Church was founded on Peter and spread by a former business owner, and an ex Pharisee who travelled extensively. Peter was no doubt chosen for his love of God and his fervour. He rarely hesitated. Paul was chosen to draft the salient points of our faith. He placed the structure.

Both leadership styles were similar. They governed , especially Peter, by authority and councils. There was no deviation from the truth. There were no workshops with the laity to enable them to feel more included. Peter was a witness to the resurrection. Paul was the recipient of the power of God. Both men were unshakable and filled with zeal and knowledge. One of the gifts that Peter and the other apostles received at Pentecost was the gift of infallibility. What they preached was the truth. The truth when exposed cannot be stopped. It will break the cedars of Lebanon. The truth will both convict and convert. Both men were humble and recipients of tremendous graces.

Today in our Church, we need to look back at Sts. Peter and Paul and understand that they were driven not by ambition, but by their love of Christ, the crucified and risen Lord. They were not prideful. Paul corrected Peter. They created the structure of the Church and the Apostles became Bishops and founded the Church in many countries. Our Church today has Bishops, but do they exercise autonomy ? The early Church trusted their bishops. St Peter and St. Paul would correct errors and famously told the early churches to be aware of a false gospel even if an angel preaches it.

Without a clear understanding of truth and the zeal of both St. Peter and St. Paul, our leadership will be hollow and ultimately fail. Our Church is fraught with false gospels, such as synodality, the welcoming church, allowing the laity to goven in high positions reserved for priests. We embrace novelty and try to accomodate everyone. We have lost the love of St. Peter, and the zeal to convert like St. Paul. Let us pray for the intercession of these two saints.