Friend of Jesus who gather sheep Rome ignored

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today tells of journeys of Peter and Paul. King Agrippa and Bernice arrive in Caesarea and are presented with the case of a prisoner, Paul, being held because of a religious dispute. Our visit to Pompeii is still fresh in my mind and the image of a Roman colony as a location wherein people not very different than others lived very well in a style which supported arts, drama, philosopy and temples which recognized arole for the impact of God on their lives. The society of the Roman colony was sustained by tens of thousands of non recognized slaves and non citizens who are those sheep which  Paul is sent by Jesus to gather into one fold. The mission which Paul undertakes involves declaring to those of his religious heritage, the Jews, that Jesus is Messiah who includes the unclean Gentile in an eternal relationship which begins with their acceptance of the Spirit of Love as their life rule. This concept has the power to upset the apple cart or the chariot for sure. Peter is shown today in the Gospel of John as the very human person who God chose to lead this community of Lovers to the centre of the great sign of human powerfor conquest of others through force the Roman Empire. The impact of Peter who is reconcilled in a deep personal way today with Jesus, and Paul when they personally confront Rome is evidenced in the history of faith communities and art, architecture and faith to which the cathedrals and convents of southern Italy stand as testimony. Roman colonies which are five thousand years old and a record of faith which begins to impact on the status quo in Ceasera and throughout the Empire are coming to a collision, in history and in faith as we begin to prepare for Rome next week inn our trip