A blessed and happy Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles and Martyrs
Sts. Peter and Paul, pray for us.
Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-19)
I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
Peter, a poor fisherman, was called by Christ to lead and care for Christ’s entire flock: “Feed my sheep!” (Jn 21:17). It was Peter who received a vision confirming that the Good News was to be preached to those the Jews considered unclean, the pagan Gentiles (cf. Acts 10:9-16). Paul, the former Pharisee, carried out this missionary mandate. In the course of his preaching he was flogged, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and attacked by brigands (cf. 2 Cor 11:24-27). Both Peter and Paul ended their ministry in Rome around the year 64. Tradition holds that Peter was crucified upside down, and Paul beheaded by the sword. What unites Peter and Paul is Jesus—his love for them, and their love for him. (Magnificat, June 29, 2024
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