Premiering on September 17, 1972 and running for 11 seasons, the television show M*A*S*H was a dramatic comedy (or dramedy) set during the Korean War and revolving around the key personnel of a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital near the front lines.
In 1983, after the last season, M*A*S*H was, at that time, the longest-running television series. It was nominated for over 100 Emmy Awards, and won 14; also winning the 6 Golden Globe, the 7 Directors Guild of America awards, a Peabody Award, seven Writers Guild of America Award, and several Humanitas Prizes.
In the tenth episode of the fourth season, titled “Quo Vadis, Captain Chandler” the characters encounter a wounded bombardier waking up on his arrival at the hospital, and thinking he is Jesus Christ. The reactions of the cast range from concern to outright disgust — and everything in-between.
The Latin phrase in the title: “Quo Vadis” — relates to an apocryphal story relating to Saint Peter. Supposedly, during the persecutions of the Emperor Nero, Saint Peter chose to flee Rome. While walking out of the city along the Appian Way, Peter encounters Jesus himself; and asks him “Quo vadis, Domine?” Or “Where are you going, Lord?” To which Jesus replies: “I am going to Rome, to be crucified again.”
At that, Peter changes his mind about running away, and instead returns to Rome to continue leading the nascent Church, and subsequently being martyred during the persecution of Nero.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul — an annual celebration which falls on June 29. In many places, it is a Holy Day of Obligation, but it hasn’t been in the United States since a dispensation of Pope Gregory XVI (the sixteenth) in the year 1840.
The last time this feast fell on a Sunday was 2014, and so we see this on a weekend Mass roughly every decade.
Saint Peter is held to be the first Pope, the chief of the Apostles. His turbulent life — even while following Jesus during His earthly ministry — was one of many ups and downs.
Saint Peter is the first to proclaim Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God; but almost immediately after that tries to stop Jesus from talking about His eventual Passion and Death.
Saint Peter declares his unwavering loyalty to Jesus at the Last Supper, and later that night denies that he even knows Him, three times. Yet, this merely points to the powerful action of God’s Grace — that an uneducated, confused, and very human man was able to lead the early Church for roughly 30 years, before dying on the Vatican Hill in the City of Rome in the year 64 AD.
And Saint Paul, the master of the run-on sentence, wrote 14 Letters to the early Churches scattered around the Roman Empire — most of which he visited, preaching the Gospel, and admonishing them to persevere in the Faith.
All of this despite having initially persecuted the Church in his younger years.
Saint Paul met Christ on the Road to Damascus as a bright light — that blinded him — and a voice — that converted him. And Saint Peter knew Christ first-hand during His earthly ministry, and having encountered him in a time of fear was inspired to return and continue in his mission — despite growing persecution.
And we might ask ourselves that question as well.
As we approach this altar to receive the most holy Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ — let us listen for His voice, calling us to follow Him.
And as we receive Him in Holy Communion, let us tell Him who we say that He is.
He who is our Way, and our Truth, and our Life.
He who is Our Lord and Our Savior.
And may we hear Him say to each and every one of us: “Follow me."
