29 June 2018: Solemnity of Peter and Paul, Apostles  

(Liturgical Color: Red)

Readings:

First Reading:        Acts 12:1-11

Second Reading:  2 Timothy 4:6-8

Gospel:Please Read  Matthew 16:13-19

Saints Peter and Paul: Partners for the mission!

The Feast of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, the two pillars of the Christian faith, is celebrated jointly on June 29. The tradition of celebrating their solemnity on the same day dates back to the year 258. Together, these two saints are regarded as the founders of the See of Rome, through their teaching ministry and martyrdom there.

The liturgical color is red to honor their martyrdom for the Christian faith.

An overview of their important roles in our Christian faith:

Saint Peter, who was originally named Simon, was a fisherman of Galilee. He has a brother, Andrew, who was also among the first apostles. Jesus gave Simon the name Cephas (or Petrus in Latin), which means "rock" because he was to become the rock upon which Christ would build His Church. The Acts of the Apostles illustrates Peter's role as the head of the Church after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. Thus, he is considered as the very first pope and assured that the disciples kept the true faith handed down by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

It was in Rome where Peter spent his last years, leading the Church through persecutions and eventually being martyred in the year 64. At his own request, he was crucified upside-down because he claimed he was not worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord Jesus.

On the other hand, Saint Paul was a late convert to Christianity, and regarded as the Apostles of the Gentiles (or non-Jews). He was a prolific writer and his letters are included in the writings of the New Testament, through which we hear much about his life and the faith of the early Church.

Before receiving the name Paul, he was called Saul, a Jewish-Pharisee who zealously persecuted the early Christians in Jerusalem. Saul's conversion to Christianity took place as he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christian community there. It was Jesus Himself who appeared to him to stop his persecution and become a disciple himself.

Saul took the name Paul upon his conversion and spent the remainder of his life preaching the Gospel tirelessly to the Gentiles of the Mediterranean world. Paul was imprisoned and taken to Rome, where he was beheaded in the year 67.

The Gospel reading on their feast day is from Matthew who wrote about the "confession of Peter".

Jesus tests His disciples with a critical question: "Who do people say that I am and who do you say that I am?"             

Peter, who was always quick to respond, exclaimed that he was "the Christ, the Son of the living God!" And Jesus said to him that no mortal being could have revealed this to Peter, but only God. Through faith Peter grasped who Jesus truly was. He was the first apostle to recognize Jesus as the Anointed One (meaning, the Messiah and Christ), and the only begotten Son of God.

And so Jesus then confers on Peter the authority to lead and govern the Church that Jesus would build, a Church that no powers on earth could overcome.... not even in the Philippines.

In practical life, the Lord Jesus also tests each one of us personally with the same question He asked the first apostles: "Who do you say that I am?"  

Our personal answer to that test question defines our relationship with our Lord Jesus, and become the foundation of our Christian living.

As we celebrate their Solemnity made holy for us by the blood of the Apostles Peter and Paul, let us embrace what they believe, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

So let us pray: Lord Jesus, I profess  and believe that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, You are my Lord and Savior. Make my faith strong, like that of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and give me boldness to speak of  You to others that they may come to know You personally as Lord and Savior, and thus grow in the knowledge of Your Love. Amen.

Happy Feast Day bn Saints Peter and Paul!

Ad Jesum per Mariam!