Today we celebrate the two principal founder members of our Christian Church - Peter and Paul. Both the Gospel and the First Reading speak of Peter, first, of his choice as the Rock on which the future community will be built and, secondly, of his miraculous liberation from prison. This is surely a sign of Jesus' promise: "I am with you all days to the end of time." In the Second Reading Paul speaks of how his life has been spent as a total self-offering for the work of the Gospel. He is now ready to meet his Lord. Each one represents an important role in the Church. Peter stands for the tradition and stability and continuity of the Church through time. Paul, on the other hand, represents the prophetic element, which is the source of change and adaptation for different situations. Both are necessary. They need to be kept in balance and there should always be a healthy tension between them.