The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
Today the Church celebrates the solemnity of Saint Apostles Peter and Paul, in honor of their martyrdoms. The first reading recounts Peter’s miraculous escape from prison under King Herod, and the second recalls Paul’s final days when he says, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” The same resignation to the will of God permeates both stories, though at the time Peter was saved from death while Paul was lead towards it. Both surrendered to a glory beyond their own imaginations, with different momentary outcomes.
I think we often measure our own resignation according to outcomes- ones we’ve experienced in the past, ones we’ve witnessed in the stories of our families, friends, and neighbors, or ones that we predict from weighing the costs. We so often allot our trust in calculation, resigning just enough to still maintain some sense of comfort or safety. But there is so much to learn from these two saints, who in their most vulnerable moments surrendered without careful calculation. Chained but rescued or strengthened to the end, there was a simplicity to their active resignation. And holy resignation is active, not passive. It’s seeking the truth and fighting for justice with a default setting of trust. It isn’t punting the ball, but a hard-fought handing over of the reigns to the Lord of all Hopefulness once you’ve competed well, finished the race, and kept the faith. It is echoing Christ’s words from the cross after all is said and done, commending your spirit to the Father.
Humanity is no stranger to suffering. There are moments of intensity in our stories which rival Peter and Paul, as well as smaller sufferings we stomach daily. The big trials and traumas or little inconveniences are all invitations to seek and boldly champion the good. Resignation as a virtue is not a Christian pacifier to why there is suffering in the world, and it’s not an excuse for allowing evil to persist. Weaponizing it in that way only causes more harm. Rather, holy resignation is a deeply personal experience, an organic conversation between the suffering heart and the heart of Christ on that most sacred ground where best effort meets divine wisdom. It’s a long-awaited exhale, the moment the eagles come for Frodo and Sam on the fiery mountainside, when the weary soul rejoices and submits to Heaven’s touch.
There’s so much to learn from these two saints as we stumble through life, swinging between trust and distrust. May we compete well, finish the race, and keep the faith. And when we’ve given our all, may we commend our souls to the Father of mercy. Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us!
Hannah Kelley is a recent Master of International Policy graduate from the University of Georgia, currently interning with the Holy See at the United Nations. She has strong opinions, weak tear ducts, and a constant mix tape playing in her head. Favorite dance move: Anything the peanuts characters do while Schroder plays the piano. Come say hi on Instagram!