Once, when Peter and John were going up to the temple for prayer at the three o'clock hour, a man crippled from birth was being carried in. They would bring him every day and put him at the temple gate called "the Beautiful" to beg from the people as they entered. When he saw Peter and John on their way in, he begged them for an alms. Peter fixed his gaze on the man; so did John. "Look at us!" Peter said. The cripple gave them his whole attention, hoping to get something. Then Peter said: "I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you! In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, walk!" Then Peter took him by the right hand and pulled him up. Immediately the beggar's feet and ankles became strong; he jumped up, stood for a moment, then began to walk around. He went into the temple with them -- walking, jumping about, and praising God. When the people saw him moving and giving praise to God, they recognized him as that beggar who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were struck with astonishment -- utterly stupefied at what had happened to him.
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 19: 2-3, 4-5)
Refrain: Their message goes out through all the earth.
1) The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge.
2) Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message.
Second Reading (Galatians 1: 11-20)
I assure you, brothers, the gospel I proclaimed to you is no mere human invention. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I schooled in it. It came by revelation from Jesus Christ. You have heard, I know, the story of my former way of life in Judaism. You know that I went to extremes in persecuting the church of God and tried to destroy it; I made progress in Jewish observance far beyond most of my contemporaries, in my excess of zeal to live out all the traditions of my ancestors. But the time came when he who had set me apart before I was born and called me by his favor chose to reveal his Son to me, that I might spread among the Gentiles the good tidings concerning him. Immediately, without seeking human advisers or even going to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, I went off to Arabia; later I returned to Damascus. Three years after that I went up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, with whom I stayed fifteen days. I did not meet any other apostles except James, the brother of the Lord. I declare before God that what I have just written is true.
When Jesus had appeared to his disciples and had eaten with them, he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know that I love you." At which Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." A second time he put his question, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know that I love you." Jesus replied, "Tend my sheep." A third time Jesus asked him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because he had asked a third time, "Do you love me?" So he said to him: "Lord, you know everything. You know well that I love you." Jesus told him, "Feed my sheep. "I tell you solemnly: as a young man you fastened your belt and went about as you pleased; but when you are older you will stretch out your hands, and another will tie you fast and carry you off against your will." (What he said indicated the sort of death by which Peter was to glorify God.) When Jesus had finished speaking he said to him, "Follow me."
King Herod started to harass some of the members of the church. He beheaded James the brother of John, and when he saw that this pleased certain of the Jews, he took Peter into custody too. During the feast of Unleavened Bread he had him arrested and thrown into prison, with four squads of soldiers to guard him. Herod intended to bring him before the people after the Passover. Peter was thus detained in prison, while the church prayed fervently to God on his behalf. During the night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with double chains, while guards kept watch at the door. Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood nearby and light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him. "Hurry, get up!" he said. With that, the chains dropped from Peter's wrists. The angel said, "Put on your belt and your sandals!" This he did. Then the angel told him, "Now put on your cloak and follow me." Peter followed him out, but with no clear realization that this was taking place through the angel's help. The whole thing seemed to him a mirage. They passed the first guard, then the second, and finally came to the iron gate leading out to the city, which opened for them of itself. They emerged and made their way down a narrow alley, when suddenly the angel left him. Peter had recovered his senses by this time, and said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel to rescue me from Herod's clutches and from all that the Jews hoped for."
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 34: 2-9)
Refrain: The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
1) I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad.
2) Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
3) Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him.
4) The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the Lord is; happy the man who takes refuge in him.
Second Reading (2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18)
I am already being poured out like a libation. The time of my dissolution is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that Day the Lord, just judge that he is, will award it to me -- and not only to me but to all who have looked for his appearing with eager longing. But the Lord stood by my side and gave me strength, so that through me the preaching task might be completed and all the nations might hear the gospel. That is how I was saved from the lion's jaws. The Lord will continue to rescue me from all attempts to do me harm and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
When Jesus came to the neighborhood of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples this question: "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "And you," he said to them, "who do you say that I am?" "You are the Messiah," Simon Peter answered, "the Son of the living God!" Jesus replied, "Blest are you, Simon son of John! No mere man has revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. I for my part declare to you, you are 'Rock,' and on this rock I will build my church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it. I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you declare bound on earth shall be bound in heaven; whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Text from Lectionary for Mass, Copyright © 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; © 1969, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Good News, by Rev. Joseph T. Nolan. Liturgical Publications, Inc., 2875 South James Drive, New Berlin, WI. 53151.
Days of the Lord, Volume 7, pp. 161-183. The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Mn., 1993.
The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 2, by William Barclay, pp. 133-146. Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pa. 1975.
Catechism: #440, 442, 443, 1444, 1445.
- see 21st Ordinary Sunday (A), 8/25/96 for use of same gospel passage.
- significance of Caesarea Philippi (see Barclay pp. 133-5).
- significance of the name "Peter" as "Rock" and the church as the "quahal", or gathering of the people of God (see Barclay pp. 139-142).
- Peter and the keys of the kingdom, and the power to loose and to bind (see Barclay, pp. 144-6) (see also Days of the Lord, p. 181)(Catechism #1444-5).
- history of this feast in the church (see Days, pp. 162-3).
- Peter and Paul as stewards and servants of the servants of God (see Days, pp. 181-2).
- Every Christian must be an evangelizer by witness, teaching and touching (see Nolan's short homily).
- We all need to "hang in there" on our journey and not be discouraged (see Nolan's short homily).
-Just like Peter and Paul, the members of the Church have very different roles to play. But it is the love of God that makes us equal and predominates over any distinction of roles. Our dignity does not arise from what we do but from who we are...If we are all in the family of God, then we are all called to love and to service, even though the form of that service may differ. Many members of the body mean that there are many roles. (Cf. Nolan's long homily)
- Those who exercise roles of responsibility in the Church should have only one ambition, to "stay the course", to remain faithful to their mission as stewards of the mysteries of salvation, and to make themselves, without counting the cost, the servants of the servants of God, the messengers of his love. (Days, p. 182)
- It is interesting to note at the conclusion of this reading, how Peter came to his senses and said: "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod." It is significant because the phrase "from the hand of" is typical of the vocabulary of divine intervention at the time of the Exodus. At that time, the angel of the Lord rescued the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, and now the angel rescues Peter from his imprisonment.
- In saying that he has "fought the good fight", Paul acknowledges that life is a constant struggle between good and evil. But it is a good fight because we can be successful and achieve victory over evil with the help of God's grace.
- Through his epistles which have been read, re-read and meditated upon, as through his example as the tireless apostle, prisoner and martyr, St. Paul remains the greatest preacher of the gospel.
- In today's gospel reading, we hear our Lord entrust Peter with the keys to the kingdom of heaven. The story is told that one day George Bush died and went to heaven. Of course, Peter greeted him at the gate and asked him what he wanted to do first. Mr. Bush said that he wanted to meet Moses. So Peter went to get Moses, but Moses refused to talk with Mr. Bush. When Peter asked him why, he replied, "The last time I talked to a bush, I wandered around in the wilderness for forty years." (Alright, so when I entered the diaconate program, we weren't judged on our ability to do stand up comedy!)
In today's feast, we celebrate the two saints who are the pillars of the Church: the one is the shepherd of Christ's flock who governs from his "chair" in Rome, while the other is the missionary, the "Apostle of the Nations", who went all over the world to found new ecclesiastical communities and strengthen those he had already established. This common celebration of their memorials helps us to become more aware of the two-fold dimension of the Church of Christ: one and universal in Christ, but diverse in the complementary vocations and ministries represented by Peter and Paul.
Now in today's first reading from Acts, we hear how Peter was sleeping soundly between two guards when the angel appeared and freed him from his chains. How can we explain this deep and peaceful sleep of a prisoner the night before he is to appear publicly for a judgment that he can only expect will go against him? His sound sleep corresponds to the attitude and conviction of the praying community: no matter how bad things look, we are in the hands of God and his providence; whatever happens, "we know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28). In fact, his supreme intervention takes place without the slightest effort on Peter's part: he is asleep.
In the second reading, we hear that classic verse from Paul's second letter to Timothy: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Then he goes on to say that "the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the message". There are two points here which I will return to shortly. First, Paul does not take any credit for what he has achieved. He has just been an instrument of the Lord's work. And secondly, for Paul, a Christian life lived according to the gospel has the value of worship: "I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1).
He has fought the good fight and kept the faith throughout. Although his faith has been tested, as it is for all of us, he has persevered with the help of God. No single word better summarizes today's liturgy than "faith".
- It is the faith of the church and the prayers of the people (in conjunction with God's will, of course) which frees Peter from prison.
- It is his faith which enables him to sleep soundly while facing imminent death.
- It is faith which has been Paul's driving force all throughout his missionary work. And
- it is faith which causes Peter to define our Lord's ministry with his acclamation "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God."
With these words, Peter's confession of faith marks a turning point in the ministry of Jesus. Now the disciples have come to believe in our Lord, and not just follow him. Jesus asks the disciples the question "Who do you say that I am" not to let them express their opinions, but to give them an opportunity to profess their faith. And that is the same opportunity which he gives to each of us. All Christians make the same journey as the apostles did, and each and every Christian must make their own profession of faith, just as Peter did.
Our primary responsibility as Christians is to follow the example given us by the apostles, and especially by Peter and Paul. And that example is to "evangelize", to be instruments of God in spreading his word. The word evangelize comes from two Greek words which mean to bring the good news. From this word, we get the English word "angel", one who bears good news. And how do we continue the work of Jesus and the apostles? We evangelize best by living the gospel values: we give food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, comfort to the sorrowing. In other words, the most powerful evangelizing that we can do is by our witnessing to the values of the gospel. We are called to give flesh to the Spirit by our actions. And in essence, each of us is called to write our own gospel by the things that we do.
- The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Are read by more than a few.
But the one that is most read and commented on
Is the gospel according to you.You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day,
By the things that you do and the words that you say.
People read what you write, whether faithless or true.
Say, what is the gospel according to you?Do others read His truth and His love in your life?
Or has yours been too full of malice and strife?
Does your life speak of evil, or does it ring true?
Say, what is the gospel according to you? (1)
And as we go about writing our own gospel, we will encounter temptations, trials and obstacles. But no matter what life throws our way, we should not be discouraged. We need to "hang in there", as we say so frequently to one another in passing. Yet it has a powerful connotation. Discouragement is the most lethal weapon in the devil's arsenal. With it, he renders us inactive and useless in God's plan. Just like Peter and Paul, we need to have the inner peace which will enable us to be at rest even in the most difficult situations, the inner peace which enabled Peter to sleep soundly in the face of death.
So, in summary, we need to be instruments of the Lord and give living witness to the gospel by the things that we say and do. And secondly we need to have a deep faith, a faith which will enable us to profess every day to our Lord that "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God" and live our lives accordingly. In so doing, by living a life according to the gospel which Christ has taught you, each one of you will be writing your own gospel "according to you".
1. The Gospel According to You, from A Fresh Packet of Sower's Seeds, Third Planting, p. 6-7. Copyright 1994 by Brian Cavanaugh, T.O.R, Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ 07430. (This resource, as well as a package of all six of Brian's Sower's Seeds books, is available at a discount through the Homiletic Resource Center.)
(Copyright 2003 by the Spirit through Deacon Sil Galvan, with a little help from the friends noted above. Permission is freely granted for use, in whole or in part, in oral presentations. For permission to use in writing, please contact the human intermediary at deaconsil@comcast.net.)
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
June 29
Lord Jesus, you are the cornerstone on whom the faith of Peter and Paul rested secure. Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are the foundation on which the Church stands firm. Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you teach us how to fight the good fight and conquer the forces of evil. Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you made Peter the rock upon which you built your church. Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you strengthened Paul in his trials and sent him to spread your gospel to the nations. Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Lord, have mercy.
Celebrant: Christ strengthened the apostles Peter and Paul to spread the gospel to all nations. Confident that he understands our needs and will intercede for us, we bring our prayers and petitions to the Father.
Deacon/Lector: Our response is "Lord, hear our prayer."
That the leaders of the Church will be strengthened in their ministry to be servants of the servants of God, we pray to the Lord.
That the leaders of the nations of the world will govern those God has placed under their care with justice and equity, we pray to the Lord.
That the sick, the terminally ill and those who are grieving the loss of a loved one will be strengthened in their trials, we pray to the Lord.
That the citizens of our nation will use their freedom and resources to provide for the poor and needy of the world, we pray to the Lord.
That all of the troops overseas will return safely and peace will be restored, we pray to the Lord.
For all of the intentions we hold in our hearts and which we now recall in silence. (Pause) For all of these intentions, we pray to the Lord.
Celebrant: Gracious Father, your Son called ordinary men to spread your gospel to the whole world. Grant us the grace of your Spirit to be evangelists of your gospel to all we meet in our homes, schools, neighborhoods and workplaces. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.