They Were One In Their Purpose And Goal

 

We need courage to proclaim the Gospel.

 Reflection on Today’s Readings, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Thursday, 29th June, 2023
Acts 12: 1- 11; Psalm 34:2-9; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17- 18; Matthew 16:13-1 

Today we celebrate the two great apostles of the Church. Celebrating them together is a reminder that they were one in their purpose and goal.  Paul says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each” (1Cor. 3:6-9). God inspired Peter to make the profession and Paul took it to the Gentiles; all is for God’s glory.  

The celebration teaches us to work together in harmony in the Church of God. Our different charisms or ministries should not cause divide between us. Legion of Mary and Chris Charismatic members should be able to work together in the Church.  

They preached the gospel with the whole heart, soul and might 

Peter and Paul are heroes of our faith. They preached the gospel with the whole heart, soul and might without minding the cost. They ended up paying the supreme price for the gospel by which we are saved. We are beneficiaries of their labours, perseverance and fortitude. Today’s first reading tells us about the imprisonment of Peter for the gospel. The second reading tells us about Paul’s anticipation of death and his conviction. We learn from them that we need courage to proclaim the Gospel. We should also prepare to die for the gospel. 

We must also remember to pray for our leaders because praying for them we secure the interest of many. The Christians during the time of Peter prayed for Him and God heard their prayers. We read, “So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church.” God answered their prayer by sending an angel to rescue Peter. We read, “behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.” God rescued him to save more souls. 

Prayer  

O God, who on the solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul, give us the noble and holy joy of this day, grant, we pray, that your Church may in all things follow the teaching of those through whom she received the beginnings of right religion. Amen

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke