Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
This year, we interrupt our celebration of Ordinary Time in order to commemorate the feast of two great apostles of the early church — men of great personal and spiritual recovery. The Great Denier and the Great Persecutor were brought to their knees by Christ’s redemptive love. And their faith picked them up and got them walking and talking of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
The two first readings for this feast and vigil recount miracle stories of Peter. In one, he frees and heals a man crippled from birth. In the other, he himself is freed from the chains of his own imprisonment by an angel.
The second readings from Galatians and Timothy are Paul’s words about his journey and conversion. He boasts in the Lord who has remained faithful to him and kept him safe throughout the entire race. The Gospels highlight the strength of Peter’s faith. As he declares three times his love for Christ, Jesus commands Peter to tend and feed the flock of the Lord. And while the Pharisees demand proof that Jesus is the Messiah, Peter professes boldly that Jesus is the real presence of God — God’s own Son. This solid rock of faith becomes the foundation of the Church.
Peter was called from his fishing boat and Paul from his oppressing tower of power. Neither was told what they were being called to and yet, each of them followed, accepted their identity and fate, and were freed from their selfishness so that they could serve others. This is our feast too. We are “Peter/Church” when we encourage, instruct, reconcile, bless, correct, serve and ultimately lay down our lives for faith. We are “Paul/Church” when we confront, challenge, sacramentalize community moments, preach a faith-doing-justice, and are willing to lay down our lives for faith. The angel freed Peter and left him in a dark alley. He knew what to do. After Paul recovered his sight from the blinding conversion, he also knew what to do. We celebrate best this solemn feast by knowing and acting as Church with faith — instinctively and boldly.
Centering prayers
The Gospel
(Matthew 16:13-19)
You ask us, “Who do you say I am?”
You are not asking only who the structure of the Church says you are,
or what others have heard, or what the catechism says,
but in accord with those, whom each of us say you are in our hearts.
Help us say it, with mouths speaking justice for the poor,
with feet trudging to those in need,
hands picking up our crosses, and trust shattering fear.
O Lord, with hearts loving you and others in you, help us say it and do it.
The First Reading
(Acts 12:1-11)
But prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf.
Peter, secured by double chains
and sleeping between two soldiers,
was rescued by an angel.
Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan.
Immigrants, the starving and unhoused.
all those suffering from discrimination
and gun violence need to be rescued by your angels.
Together, we beg you, Lord, rescue them and let us help.
The Second Reading
(2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18)
The Lord stood by me and gave me strength
Help us remember that you, Lord,
are our constant companion,
always giving us the strength
we need to finish the tasks
you ask of us here on Earth.
Copyright © 2025, Anne M. Osdieck
Music for reflection