Sts. Pater and Paul - June 29, 2014

Who do you say I am?

In a brief exchange, Jesus and Simon Peter defined Christianity.  A question and an answer.  Who do you say I am?  You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.  At this point, a wandering rabbi and his followers became something more.  Together they  were the Body of Christ.

WEEKLY BLOG LINK How do you answer the question Jesus asks?

VIGIL FOR THE FEAST OF STS. PETER AND PAUL

MP3 PODCAST  In this week's audio podcast, we consider the two leaders of the early Church, Peter and Paul.  In some sense, they opposed each other, but their fight helped to strengthen the Church, not diminish it.

FIRST READING  Acts 12 painted a dark time for the nascent Church; King Herod moved against the community in Jerusalem by killing James and arresting Peter.  But, divine intervention saved the leader of the Apostles and strengthened the disciples in the face of persecution.

PSALM  Psalm 34 urges us to “taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”

SECOND READING  In 2 Timothy, St. Paul looks back at his life with a sense of accomplishment and peers forward to the reward waiting for him in heaven.

GOSPEL  In Matthew 16, Jesus asked his followers THE question of faith: “Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered for his companions and us.  He asserted the faith we share in Jesus, our Lord and Christ.

CHILDREN'S READINGS  In the story for the gospel, Bunny finally recognized her Uncle Charlie when he called her on the phone.  Their relationship grew from the good times they shared and the promise of good times to come.  Jesus calls us.  When we recognize him as our Lord, we remember what he did for us and what he promises to do for us in the future.