Sts. Peter and Paul June 29
The readings from the Mass summarize these guys quite well. Worth reading tonight at dinner.
Reading 22 TM 4:6-8, 17-18 Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. Gospel MT 16:13-19 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” |
![]() You could do something with their symbols today. I've never done this, but I've seem cookies and cakes with the apostles symbols on them.
St. Peter and St. Paul have interwoven symbols of keys and a sword. St. Peter has the symbol of keys because Jesus gave him the Keys of the Kingdom. These represent him being the head of the church on earth. Saint Paul is symbolized by the “Sword of the Spirit”, a term Paul used when referring to the Word of God, most notably in Ephesians 6:17. Tradition holds that In 67 A.D., Saint Paul chose to die by the sword rather than deny his God, after teaching and demonstrating that life is indeed a battle to be fought in God’s Armor. |