SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, JUNE 29, 2023

Patron saints of fishermen and preachers

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

Mt 16:13-19

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

REFLECTION

St Peter and St Paul were very important people in early Christianity.

St Peter (known as Simon) was a fisherman, the head of the Apostles, the head of the Catholic Church and the first Pope. St Paul was the greatest convert and missionary in the history of the world.

They both believed that Christ was the Son of the living God. They were weak at the beginning but with perseverance their "yes" to the call of God grew all over the world.

St Peter was with Jesus for three years. He denied Him at His most greatest need. Jesus forgave Him and restored Him to grace. After Pentecost, St Peter preached the first Christian sermon, saving on that first day 3000 souls.

St Paul (then known as Saul) was a religious leader pursuing studies of the Pharisees. He persecuted the Christians. He was present when the first martyr, Stephen, was killed. At one point Paul even wanted Peter killed. But God reconciled him and restored Him to grace.

Nothing is impossible with God. It would be best we not forget that.

Eventually St Peter and St Paul worked together. St Paul preached the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ all around the Mediterranean world, Rome, and Spain.

They were both martyred between AD 64 and 68. While the church recognizes that they may not have died on the same day, tradition says that this is the day that they were both martyred in Rome by Emperor Nero.

God Bless You

(1) Daily Lessons from the Saints by Father Brice Higginbotham

(2) A Saint a Day by Meredith Hinds