The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, challenge us to respond with our unique gifts as we declare our relationship with Christ, Son of the Living God.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, James is killed and Peter is imprisoned and delivered from prison.
* [12:1–19] Herod Agrippa ruled Judea A.D. 41–44. While Luke does not assign a motive for his execution of James and his intended execution of Peter, the broad background lies in Herod’s support of Pharisaic Judaism. The Jewish Christians had lost the popularity they had had in Jerusalem (Acts 2:47), perhaps because of suspicions against them traceable to the teaching of Stephen.
* [12:2] James, the brother of John: this James, the son of Zebedee, was beheaded by Herod Agrippa ca. A.D. 44.
* [12:3, 4] Feast of Unleavened Bread…Passover: see note on Lk 22:1. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 34 offers praise for deliverance from trouble.
* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB, n.d.)
The reading from the Second Letter of Timothy declares a reward for fidelity.
* [4:6] The apostle recognizes his death through martyrdom to be imminent. He regards it as an act of worship in which his blood will be poured out in sacrifice; cf. Ex 29:38–40; Phil 2:17.
* [4:7] At the close of his life Paul could testify to the accomplishment of what Christ himself foretold concerning him at the time of his conversion, “I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name” (Acts 9:16).
* [4:8] When the world is judged at the parousia, all who have eagerly looked for the Lord’s appearing and have sought to live according to his teachings will be rewarded. The crown is a reference to the laurel wreath placed on the heads of victorious athletes and conquerors in war; cf. 2 Tm 2:5; 1 Cor 9:25. (2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew presents Peter’s Declaration about Jesus.
* [16:13–20] The Marcan confession of Jesus as Messiah, made by Peter as spokesman for the other disciples (Mk 8:27–29; cf. also Lk 9:18–20), is modified significantly here. The confession is of Jesus both as Messiah and as Son of the living God (Mt 16:16). Jesus’ response, drawn principally from material peculiar to Matthew, attributes the confession to a divine revelation granted to Peter alone (Mt 16:17) and makes him the rock on which Jesus will build his church (Mt 16:18) and the disciple whose authority in the church on earth will be confirmed in heaven, i.e., by God (Mt 16:19). (Matthew, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)
Elvin Cardoso S.J. comments that the second quality of a good leader is tending to the flock and thus building the Church. A poignant anecdote about Pope Francis during his time in Buenos Aires exemplifies this.
In his role overseeing the seminarians, he would instruct them as they embarked on their weekend ministry with the following words, “walk the neighborhood, see what the needs of the people are, try to do something, and just don’t comb the flock.” Upon their return, he would inspect their feet. If they were clean, it was a sign that they had not fulfilled their duty. Tending the flock, as Pope Francis demonstrated, means getting our feet dirty. It means getting involved in the lives, struggles, pain, suffering and joys of the people we serve. We understand reality better when we live, talk, and walk together with the poor, neglected, and marginalized.
Let us pray for the grace to imbibe the qualities of St. Peter and Paul so that we can be worthy witnesses of Christ in our words and deeds and accompany people in our capacity to bring about the Kingdom of God. (Cardoso, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Only by hope,” by Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D.
"'Turn, O my soul, into your rest: for the Lord has been bountiful to you' (Psalm 114:7). The brave contestant applies to himself the consoling words, very much like to Paul, when he says: 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. For the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice.' These things the prophet also says to himself: Since you have fulfilled sufficiently the course of this life, turn then to your rest, 'for the Lord has been bountiful to you.' For, eternal rest lies before those who have struggled through the present life observant of the laws, a rest not given in payment for a debt owed for their works but provided as a grace of the munificent God for those who have hoped in him." (excerpt from HOMILIES 22) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 34:2-9 comments that God entrusted each of them with a unique mission—Peter primarily to the Jews, as well as serving as head of the Church, and Paul primarily to the Gentiles. Sometimes they didn’t see eye to eye. For example, although Peter had been the first to welcome the Gentiles into the Church, Paul had to correct him later for drawing back from them at a meal (Acts 10:30-48; Galatians 2:11-14).
Despite their differences and disagreements, surely these two saints and apostles had a profound respect for one another. Together, they accomplished far more than either could have achieved on his own.
This kind of collaboration has always been part of God’s plan for his Church. Just think about the different people who have served God’s people over the ages and the amazing things that God accomplished through their diverse personalities and gifts. Think of how each member of Christ’s body, working according to their abilities and talents, glorifies God. That includes both you and those with completely different backgrounds from yourself. Together, like Sts. Peter and Paul, we can glorify the Lord, both now and forever in heaven!
“Lord, may your people glorify you together!” (Meditation on Psalm 34:2-9, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on Peter’s rescue from prison in Acts and the Letter to Timothy written in the style of Paul to affirm his salvation at the Last Judgement. The ancient temple to Pan near Caesarea Philippi, a site traditionally of evil, is where Peter declares Jesus as the Christ, and is given rabbinic responsibility to interpret and guide. Friar Jude notes the later connection to the power to forgive sins in Jesus' commissioning of Peter.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Spiritual director Fran Tilton Shelton who guides readers through the practice of writing their own psalm of lament.
Prepare: Get ready to write your own lament by centering your heart and mind with the following breath prayer or one of your own.
Inhale: God of truth and grace,
Exhale: Encourage me to be honest.Turn to God: Read Psalm 77:1–3 several times. Then, in your journal or on a piece of paper, write your own turning toward the Divine.
I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, that God may hear me…
Complain to God: Read Psalm 13:1–2 and then write your complaint.
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?…Ask God for what you want: Read Psalm 13:3 and write your request.
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God!
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death.Write an affirmation of trust: Read Psalm 13:5 and write your own sense of trust.
But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek the inspiration of the Spirit as we celebrate the ministry of Peter and Paul and incorporate their faith and action in our carrying out of our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/12?1
Cardoso, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/062924.html
Matthew, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16?13
Meditation on Psalm 34:2-9. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/06/29/1010342/
Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Holy Lament: Weekly Summary. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/holy-lament-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Are the Christ - the Son of the Living God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jun29a
2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/4?6
No comments:
Post a Comment