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SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL



1st Reading         Acts 12:1-11
Psalm                   Ps. 33:2-9
2nd Reading       2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18
Gospel                  Matthew 16:13-19

Dear friends, we celebrate today the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. These two are great pillars when we speak about Christianity, especially in the early Church.

With Paul and his mission to the Gentiles and Peter with his to the Jews, we see a sense of a universal  missionary mandate, less indifference. In fact, these two ancestors of our faith experienced imprisonment and were delivered. 

The first reading narrates the Lord's deliverance of Peter while in prison. In any case, the reading reveals that earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church. This is a great leader in prison. He was supported by prayers. Widening the sense, we say support. Support in the sense of being there for another in trouble and distress. We then learn from the first reading to always pray for our leaders, especially our religious leaders. This is the least and best support we may offer. Offer this from a sincere heart. The many criticisms do not help but prayer is always helpful.

The Gospel is so interesting in which case we hear of an entrust of greater functions to Peter after he proclaimed the identity of Jesus as the Christ in the region of Caesarea-Philippi. From this we hear Peter being spoken of by Christ as the rock upon which Christ's Church would be built.

With the Gospel, we still identify leadership. To be a leader is to see what others may not get the opportunity to see. The leader remains the unbeatable prophet. When other disciples were so quick to project the views of others concerning Jesus, Peter is singularly identified to have spoken the right thing, that which is expected. This is from Peter himself and not a projection of the views of others. 

The second serves to encourage us in which case Paul tells us of a reward for perseverance. Keep the faith. Do not veer from the path. Believe in what you profess teach it. The Lord is our strength and he never disappoints. 

We pray today for world leaders, especially our religious leaders, that they may, by God's Grace, be able to see ahead and speak what is right without fear or favour.

Pax et Bonum

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