June 29, 2014

Peter and Paul

June 29, 2014:  SS. Peter and Paul, apostles

Readings

 Vigil
  • Acts 3:1-10  When the cripple at the Beautiful Gate asked Peter and John for alms, Peter said, “I'll give you what I have:  in the name of Jesus Christ, walk!”  He leaped up, walked, jumped and praised God.  They all recognized him as the beggar and were amazed.
  • Gal 1:11-20  The Gospel I preached is not of human origin; it came through a revelation of Christ.  I used to persecute the Church, But when God revealed his Son to me, I went to Arabia and returned to Damascus, then went to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas....
  • Jn 21:15-19  Jesus / Simon Peter, after miraculous breakfast:  “Do you love me more than these?” / “You know I love you.” / “Feed my lambs.  Do you love me?” / “You know I do.” / “Tend my sheep.  Do you love me?” / Peter, distressed he asked a third time:  “Lord, you know I love you.” / “Feed my sheep.  When you were younger, you used to go where you wanted; but when you grow old, someone else will lead you where you don't want to go.  Follow me.”  He said this signifying by what kind of death he'd glorify God.
Daytime
  • Acts 12:1-11  The Church was praying for Peter, whom King Herod imprisoned.  Angel to Peter:  “Get up quickly.  Put on your belt, sandals, and cloak, and follow me.”  His chains fell, he dressed, he followed him past the guards, the gate opened, they went, and the angel left.  Peter:  “Now I know the Lord rescued me.”
    Wordle: Readings 6-29-14 daytime
    Word cloud of daytime readings
  • Ps 34:2-9  "The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him."  I'll always bless the Lord; let's extol him together.  He delivered me.  Look to him and be radiant.  When the poor one called out, he heard and saved him.  Taste and see how good the Lord is...
  • 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18  Paul:  I'm being poured out; I've competed well, finished the race, and kept the faith.  The Lord will award a crown to me and to all who have longed for him.  He gave me strength so through me all Gentiles might hear the proclamation.  The Lord will rescue me and bring me safe to his Kingdom.
  • Mt 16:13-19  Jesus / disciples, at Caesarea Philippi:  “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” / “John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or a prophet.” / “Who do you say I am?” / Simon Peter:  “The Christ, Son of the living God.” / “Blessed are you, Simon; my Father revealed this to you.  You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.  I'll give you the keys to the Kingdom; what you bind or loose shall be so in heaven.”
Pope Francis
  • Homily with pallium conferral:  When Peter began his ministry to Jerusalem Christians, people feared because of Herod’s persecution, but the Lord liberates us from fear and all that enslaves us.  Bishops, what are we afraid of, and what forms of refuge do we seek?  Peter's witness reminds us our refuge is trust in God; it frees us from fear, slavery, and temptation.  Peter's example challenges us to assess our own trust in the Lord.
Peter recovered trust when he confessed his love for Jesus, making up for his denials. He regrets the disappointment he caused the Lord; when he entrusts himself, fear, insecurity and cowardice dissipate.  He experienced how God’s fidelity, greater than our infidelity, dispels fear.  Today Jesus asks us, “Do you love me?” because he knows our fears and struggles.  Peter shows us:  we need to trust the Lord, who knows everything in us.  Jesus never abandons us.  God is the source of our confidence and peace.  The Lord’s fidelity to us enkindles our desire to serve him and others.
Today the Lord repeats, Follow me!  Don't dwell on secondary things, but look to what's essential.  Disregard difficulties.  Preach the Gospel to all, especially the least, so they'll hear the word that sets us free to trust God.  Live shaped by the grace you've received.  Speak of me to those with whom you live, work, and converse, and to friends.  Follow me!
(Not this Peter and Paul :-)
Music*
Reflections
    • Creighton:  The acknowledgment of Jesus Simon made came through revelation from the Father, but Simon's protest after Jesus foretells his passion, death, and resurrection, is from human weakness. (Pope Benedict XVI, homily for 6-29-2012)
    The angel tells Peter in prison, "Get up; get ready; follow me," and he responds, trusting the angel.  When we fall into the prison of fear, perhaps after being caught up in God, let's do likewise:  get up, get ready, and follow the Spirit who wants to free us.  We'll know we lived like Peter and Paul if we can look back and see we've emptied ourselves in service of God and the poor.
    • Passionist:  Peter and Paul were human beings open to God's Spirit.  God met them where they were.  God approaches us the same way.
    • DailyScripture.net:  Peter and Paul risked their lives to spread the gospel to all nations.  Through faith Peter recognized Jesus as the "anointed one" (Messiah/Christ).  Jesus gave him authority to govern the church.
      Wordle: Readings 6-29-14 vigil
      Wordle of vigil readings
    • Universalis:  Peter walks on the water but then panics, professes faith then blunders, refuses to be washed then demands to be washed, and swears he'll stand by Jesus then betrays him.  He's ordinary and makes mistakes, not a wise and noble hero, but God still chose him.  If he'd been a hero, we could have despaired of becoming like him; if he'd been great and noble, we could have thought the Church isn't for us.  But the Church is for confused, cowardly people like us; though it's made of inferior materials, it grows, and grace holds it together.  Let's admire the grace Peter was given, and pray we may also be given it and use it.
    Paul reminds people of his weakness, but his mind shaped the early Church.  Let's pray for grace to love God with our minds, as he did.
    • See June 6 for commentary on Jesus' questions to Peter in the vigil gospel.
    • About "binding and loosing" (daytime gospel, future perfect original), see August 14, including exegetical links and online resources to compare and explore Bible texts
    • For liturgy people:  they moved today's pallium conferral from after the homily to before Mass to make it shorter, to make it easier to stay focused on the Mass, and to avoid confusion that it's a Sacramental rite.  "Rites... following the homily are normally Sacramental:  Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick."
    Apparel*
    • "Eyeball" tie pin:  Peter to paralytic:  “Look at us.” (1st reading v); Peter thought he was seeing a vision (1st reading d); "Taste and see the Lord's goodness" (psalm d)
    • "Walker" tie pin:  "walking and jumping and praising God" (1st reading v)
    • "Children around the earth" tie:  "Their message goes out through all the earth." (psalm v)
    • "Hearts" suspenders:  “Simon, do you love me?” (gospel v)
    • "Lamb" tie bar:  “Feed my lambs.” / "Tend my sheep" / "Feed my sheep" (gospel v)
    • "Hand" tie pin:  "when you grow old, you'll stretch out your hands...>” (gospel v)
    • "Sword" pin:  Herod had James killed by the sword (1st reading d)
    • "Angel" pin:  the angel of the Lord frees Peter from prison (1st reading d); "the angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him" (psalm d)
    • Belt and sandals (not shown):  “Put on your belt and your sandals.” (1st reading d)
    • "Caged lion" pin:  Cage for prison (1st reading d), lion for "I was rescued from the lion’s mouth." (2nd reading d)
    • "Question mark" tie pin:  “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” / “Who do you say that I am?” (gospel d)
    • "Rock" tie pin:  "upon this rock I will build my Church" (gospel d)
    • "Keys" tie pins:  "I'll give you the keys to the Kingdom.” (gospel d)
    • Red shirt:  color of the day
    *v for vigil, d for daytime reading

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