Sts. Peter and Paul
Today, we are celebrating the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Peter was the rock on which Jesus built his church; his faith was a great source of strength for the early Christians. Paul was a missionary, whose aim in life was to share the Good News that had transformed his life. Together they were the greatest leaders of the early church.
In the reading, Paul believes that he will be killed for believing in and preaching about Jesus. He is joyful because he knows what he did is pleasing to the Lord. He knows he will have eternal life with God.
In the gospel, Jesus asked the disciples who people think he is – some think John the Baptist, prophet Elijah, Jeremiah or some others a prophet. He asked Simon Peter who said he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus changed his name to Peter, which means “rock”. The church of God will be built with Peter as its leader and it will be strong.
Special Saint - St. Peter - June 29
Peter, the first bishop of Rome, was a fisherman from Bethsaida. Jesus invited him to follow him saying: “I will make you a fisher of people.”
Peter was generous, honest, and very attached to Jesus.
As we heard in the gospel, this great apostle’s original name was Simon, but Jesus changed it to Peter, which means “rock”. He was the leader of the apostles and was very important in building the Church.
When Jesus was arrested, Peter became afraid. He denied that he knew Jesus three times. Peter was very sorry for what he did and Jesus forgave him.
After his resurrection, Jesus asked Peter to take care of his Church because he was going to heaven. Peter converted many nonbelievers.
He was later crucified in a similar way to Jesus. This time, he did not deny knowing Jesus.
Special Saint - St. Paul - June 29
Saul was Jewish, but because he was born in Tarsus, he was also a Roman citizen with the Roman name “Paul”. He studied his Jewish faith carefully and was very dedicated to it. He was also a tentmaker.
Before Saul’s conversion, he thought he was pleasing God by harming Christians.
At the time of his conversion, Jesus had said: “I will show him how much he must suffer for me.” After Jesus appeared to Saul, Saul began to use his Roman name Paul. Paul loved Jesus very much and he tried to imitate Jesus in every way.
Paul met troubles and went through dangers of every kind. He was whipped, stoned, shipwrecked, lost at sea, and was often hungry, thirsty and cold. He always trusted in God who gave him great comfort and joy in every suffering.
Paul called himself the apostle of the Gentiles because he preached the Gospel to the people who weren’t Jewish. Because of Paul, we too, have received the Christian faith.