Rome 2017: (12) Saint Paul's Statue

http://stpetersbasilica.info/Exterior/StPaulStatue/StPaulStatue.htm

The statute that rests just steps outside of Saint Peter’s Basilica signifies the Biblical leader of Paul. Any other Saint, apostle or disciple could have been chosen to stand across from Peter in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica, but Paul was the one who was chosen. This is a cultural landscape in itself. Paul was selected because he was the barrier of the Word of God. No one would have ever heard about Peter or about Christ, if Paul had no preserved the Word and kept it Holy. Paul can be recognized as the preserver of the Christian faith. This sculpture reveals the agony that Paul experienced through his life. He was holding a sword, not out of violence, but he was holding a sword representing the Word of God. He held that sword with his

life wrapped around it because his calling was to preserve the Word and it cost him his life in doing it. He held the sword close to protect himself as the World was attacking the Word. He embodied the lessons that Christ has taught. This cultural landscape is a physical reminder that the Word of God will be there always, but being a believer takes perseverance and there is no way better to embody that than Paul.