Download celebrating - Resurrectionist

Contributed by Father Tim Uniac, C.R.
Father Tim was ordained in 1986. Over the years Father Tim has served in parish ministry as both
Assistant Pastor and Pastor. For a number of years he worked full time in youth ministry. He has
served his Religious Community as Vocation Director and as Vicar (Assistant) Provincial.
Currently he serves his Community internationally as the Vicar General residing in Rome, Italy.
SAINT PETER AND SAINT PAUL, APOSTLES
June 29th, 2014
GATHERING TIME (10-15 minutes)
Introduction to the Word:
The Apostle Paul, beheaded on the Via Ostia, the site of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the
Walls in Rome, and the Apostle Peter, martyred under Nero around 66 AD and buried under the
altar in Saint Peter's Basilica, are both considered principal patrons of the Church of Rome. Both
these Apostles hold places of high honour in the Church.
If you visit St. Peter's Basilica, walk to the main altar and look up at the dome. Here you will
behold a magnificent sight. Around the base of the dome, in letters some 2 meters high, are
inscribed the words (in Latin) “You are rock and on this rock I will build my Church, to you I
will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (from today's Gospel). Above the words you will
find depictions of Popes who are buried in the Basilica, figures of Mary and Joseph, a depiction of
Jesus' passion, and Angels charged as custodians of Peter's tomb – perhaps the very Angels who
will rescue Peter in today's Gospel. As Pope Sixtus V said in 1590 when the dome was completed,
and is inscribed in the dome, the dome (and the basilica itself) are “To the glory of Saint Peter”.
After beholding the incredible dome, one is reminded to not stare into the sky but remember where
you stand at that very moment, upon the very tomb of Saint Peter, the rock. Peter continues to
support the very foundation of the Church, and we the Church stand upon that foundation.
If you visit the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, built on the burial site of Paul, you will
encounter an equally magnificent Basilica. Inside you will find a series of “medallions” depicting
all of the Popes throughout history. These painted medallions of the Popes completely surround
the huge interior of the Basilica. Their purpose is to show the universality of the Church, founded
in Rome, upon the Apostles – an unbroken chain connecting the Church directly to Peter. There is
some folklore associated with the papal paintings that suggests that, when there is no more room to
include future Popes, the Church will come to an end. During a recent visit I asked the Rector
about this tradition. His response: “If we run out of room we will simply make the Basilica
bigger.” Time will tell.
1
These Basilicas, dedicated to two great Apostles, can only partially reveal who they really were,
what they did, and their ongoing influence on the Church. We who stand upon the foundation they
laid for us are called to prayerfully reflect upon these great Apostles, to see what the scriptures tell
us of them, and to pray for their intercession, seeking to be inspired to follow their example. The
greatest honour we can give Peter and Paul is not necessarily to build huge monuments to their
honour, as magnificent as they may be, but to continue the ministry they began – to proclaim the
Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Warm Up Activity:
“Evangelization takes place in obedience to the missionary mandate of Jesus: 'Go therefore and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you' (Mt 28:19-20). In
these verses we see how the risen Christ sent his followers to preach the Gospel in every time
and place, so that faith in him might spread to every corner of the earth”. (Pope Francis. The Joy of
the Gospel. November 24, 2013. Paragraph 19).
The Apostles Peter and Paul most certainly responded to the call to spread the Gospel message
which Pope Francis highlights in this quote, both of them moving beyond Jerusalem to bring the
Gospel to the Gentiles. As you reflect upon the missionary activities of Peter and Paul, think about
how you are also called by Christ, through baptism, to spread the Gospel message. Note that Pope
Francis also said in the above letter “I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a
new chapter of evangelization” (Paragraph 1). Discuss how you might best respond to this call to
share in the apostleship of Peter and Paul, to evangelize and spread the Gospel message to the
world.
THEME
Spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth
In the opening chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, the theme is set for all that will follow in Acts.
Prior to his Ascension into heaven, Jesus appears to his Apostles (1:1-11), and informs them that
they will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. When the Apostles ask if the kingdom is now, Jesus tells
them they must wait to receive power from on high and then go out to give witness to the ends of
the earth “in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”. In other words, they were
given a mission before the coming of the kingdom will take place, to spread the Good News.
Later, in Acts (today's first reading), we see the authorities in Jerusalem trying to stop the spread of
Christianity and the Gospel message; thus, the Apostle Peter will leave Jerusalem to take the
message of Christ elsewhere. If not for the arrest of Peter by King Herod Agrippa I, perhaps the
message might never have moved beyond the walls of Jerusalem. This is an example of something
good flowing out of persecution, something that could strip a person of all hope. Now the Apostles
(in this case Peter) will finally respond to the mission given them by Christ to go to foreign lands,
to step into the unknown, to give witness to the Gospel to the ends of the earth – even to Gentiles
and Samaritans!
2
Leader:
Peter and Paul experienced God's love and mercy in their lives and were
transformed by it, to become men of grace and good works. Let us seek to also be
transformed by God's love and mercy as we seek healing and peace.
Lord Jesus, heal us through your great love and mercy,
Christ Jesus, transform us into people of grace and good works,
Lord Jesus, help us to spread the Gospel message to the world,
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Let us pray
(together):
Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that we may be sustained by the intercession of the blessed
Apostles Peter and Paul, that, as through them you gave your Church the foundations of her
heavenly office, so through them you may help her to eternal salvation. Through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION TIME (45 minutes)
(As Christians we believe that the WORD of God we hear proclaimed each Sunday is an empowering Word, and that
God is present in the Word proclaimed. This is the Word that God wants us to hear today. The dynamic of the Small
Christian Community, namely, reflecting on our life-story within the context of this Word, and sharing the insights of
these reflections, is such that God’s Spirit becomes present, and the gifts of the Spirit are experienced as empowering
and life-giving.)
FIRST READING (Acts 12:1-11)
In those days, King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the Church. He had
James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased some of the people,
he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread. When he had
seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him,
intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the
Church prayed fervently to God for him.
The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was
sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the
prison.
Suddenly an Angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side
and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists.
The Angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him,
“Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize
that what was happening with the Angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.
After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into
the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane,
when suddenly the Angel left him.
3
Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his Angel and rescued
me from the hands of Herod and from all that the people were expecting.”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18)
Beloved: I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I
have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is
reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on
that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully
proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord
will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL (Matthew 16:13-19)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say
that the Son of Man is?”
And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of
the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the
Son of the living God.”
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not
revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will
build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound
in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
(Allow two minutes for quiet and for a brief reflection
on a meaningful word or thought)
4
COMMENTARY:
The Acts of the Apostles was written by the same anonymous writer who wrote the Gospel of
Luke. Whereas Luke recounts the stories of Jesus while on earth, Acts takes up the story after the
resurrection, and recounts the spreading of the Gospel message by the Apostles. In Acts we hear
how Christianity was beginning to spread after Pentecost and the descending of the Holy Spirit
upon the Apostles (2:1-4). As the mission in Jerusalem began to spread, Christians were beginning
to live communally in Jerusalem (2:43-47). It was around this time that authorities in Jerusalem
began to grow in their concern about the spread of Christianity and their preaching. This concern
would lead to the death of James, the brother of John, and the arrest of Peter by King Herod
Agrippa I (grandson of Herod the Great) in today's reading.
The reading begins by setting the scene: in Jerusalem during the holy season of Passover. Due to
Passover, Peter was imprisoned before any punitive action was taken against him. It would have to
wait until Passover was concluded, but not necessarily for holy/religious reasons. After Passover
the many pilgrims who traveled to Jerusalem would return to their homes leaving smaller crowds
in the city—less of a chance for any kind of riot in support of Peter, thus Herod would have greater
control and less to fear. Note, “four squads of soldiers to guard him”, a seemingly ridiculous
show of force for one chained man. This show of force will however help to highlight the truly
wonderful events to come, the divine intervention by God, and the rescue of Peter by angels. The
rescue by angels is seen as a response to “the church praying fervently to God for him”. The
power of communal prayer is made visible, far beyond what “the people were expecting”.
Following his rescue, Peter soon “left and went to another place” (12:17), even though he would
return to Jerusalem later in chapter 15. Between Peter's departure, and his later return to Jerusalem,
King Herod would die because he failed to give “glory to God … he was eaten by worms and
died” (12:23).
The Second Letter of Timothy, along with the letters of First Timothy and Titus, make up the
section of New Testament letters referred to as the “Pastoral Epistles”. These letters were most
likely written not by Paul himself, but by an associate in the name of Paul. In the section of Second
Timothy proclaimed on this Solemnity, the letter clearly takes on the appearance and tone of a
farewell discourse from Paul to his “beloved” Timothy.
Paul begins by referring to himself as being “poured out as a libation”. Here we clearly see Paul's
strong Jewish roots, and knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. Paul is referencing the tradition that
Jewish sacrifices be accompanied with a libation of wine or oil (Book of Numbers 28:7). Paul of
course is the sacrifice. We then hear Paul proclaim that it is time for him to depart, that he has
“fought the good fight”. What is this fight Paul says has come to an end for him? It would
perhaps be safe to conclude that the fight refers to Paul's ongoing mission, which he began after
being called by Jesus, to proclaim the message of Christianity so “that all the Gentiles might hear
it”. Paul was able to carry on this fight because God gave him the strength to do so, for “the Lord
stood by me and gave me strength”. In other words, Paul, as his life is nearing its end, is
proclaiming that he believes he has faithfully fulfilled the calling given him by Christ. Yet could
this reference to the “good fight” be referring to something more? On this Solemnity in 2013,
Pope Francis suggested in his homily that the fight being referred to was in fact pointing towards
the fight of martyrdom. Pope Francis went on to say “Paul had but one weapon, the message of
Christ and the gift of his entire life for Christ and for others” (Pope Francis. Homily on the Solemnity of
5
Saints Peter and Paul. 2013).
Paul entered the fight of martyrdom with only the message of Christ to
protect him, knowing full well he was likely not to survive, yet believing Christ was enough, and
that the “crown of righteousness” was reserved for him.
Any reflection upon the Gospel of Matthew needs to begin by placing the Gospel within its
historical context. Most scholars place the writing of Matthew between AD 80-90, and this dating
is highly significant. Why? Because this dating post-dates the capture of Jerusalem and the
destruction of the Temple in AD 70. The Gospel was written within an environment where the
question on the lips of most Jews was: how will the heritage of Israel continue under these
conditions? After all, the three pillars of ancient Judaism were under attack: the Temple in
Jerusalem, the land of Israel, and the Mosaic law. The Temple was destroyed and the land of Israel
was now under Roman rule. To whom will the people of Israel turn to lead them in re-establishing
the heritage of Israel? The people were clearly in crisis.
Onto the scene comes Jesus, who is presented in Matthew's Gospel as a Jewish Messiah, sent by a
Jewish God, to a Jewish people, to fulfill Jewish scriptures, and who called Jewish disciples.
Matthew is presenting Jesus as the one who will re-establish the heritage of Israel, for he has come
not to criticize or condemn Judaism, but to present an interpretation of the Mosaic law. Jesus is
presented as the fulfillment of the law. And while there are other individuals and groups claiming
to be the ones who will re-establish the heritage of Israel, Jesus seems to stand above all others,
especially in his connection to “John the Baptist, … Elijah, … Jeremiah or one of the
prophets”. This context for Matthew should help in understanding why, then, Jesus begins today’s
Gospel with the question “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” This question leads to Peter's
confession that “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” and his identification by Jesus as
the future leader who will lead those who acclaim Jesus as Lord. Who, then, do you say the “Son
of Man is?”
(Allow about 5 – 10 minutes for the participants to react to the Commentary
to identify a newly discovered insight or a new idea.)
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION:
Acts 12:1-11
“the Church prayed fervently to God for him”
 The power of communal prayer is highlighted in this passage from Acts, leading to the
rescue of Peter by God's angels. Yet even some of those who joined in the communal
prayer were still surprised by the results, far beyond what “the people were expecting”.
Have you ever been surprised by the power of prayer, and the depth of God's response to
your prayer? What, if anything, does this say to you about how God responds to our
prayer?
 Acts portrays people like King Herod as frightened, or at the very least concerned, over the
growth of Christianity in Jerusalem. What do you think was at the root of this fear? Was it
politically motivated, theologically motivated or something else? Was it justified?
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
“fought the good fight”
 As Paul enters the last stages of his ministry and life we hear his very touching words to
Timothy. Which of Paul's words or statements in this reading gives you the most hope? Do
his words challenge you in any way? How?
6
 Pope Francis offers us a different perspective on this scripture account. He seems to be
speaking of how we as Christians are to confront evil, violence and persecution in our
world solely with the message of Christ and not a sword, just as did Paul as he confronted
martyrdom. While most of us will never be called to martyrdom, we are nonetheless called
to present the message of Christ in the face of evil. What does this mean to you on a
practical, day-to-day basis? What are some examples of evil that you feel called to confront
with the message of Christ?
Matthew 16:13-19
“who do people say the Son of Man is?”
 Jesus announces in the Gospel that he is giving Peter the “keys of the kingdom of
heaven”. What do you think Jesus was charging Peter to do with these keys? Are they to be
used to separate the sinner from the non-sinner on judgment day? Will we find Peter
dangling the keys in front of us on the day we approach the gates of heaven as some kind of
test to pass? What do you think?
 Matthew's Gospel is considered by some scholars as the most Jewish of all the Gospels,
reminding us over and over again that Jesus was a Jew, the Jewish Messiah. Jesus remains
faithful to Judaism throughout the Gospel, upholding both Jewish laws and traditions.
Jesus is presented as coming not to destroy Judaism but to bring new understanding to it,
especially the laws of Moses. Does this in any way alter your understanding of Jesus'
relationship to Judaism? Does this perhaps change your image of the Pharisees, the ones
who were deeply devoted followers and supporters of the Torah, yet seem to have been so
misunderstood throughout Christian history?
CARING-PRAYING TIME: (15-20 minutes)
(This time is reserved for quiet prayer as well as for an action-response to the communal reflections. The intent is to
‘outreach’ to the larger community. The facilitator should allow for a moderate pause between each of the numbered
suggestions for reflection and action.
Word of the Week: “The Church prayed fervently to God”
Suggestion for the Week:
“Prayer, where the meeting with Christ is expressed not just in imploring help but also in
thanksgiving, praise, adoration, contemplation, listening and ardent devotion, until the heart
truly falls in love. … by opening our hearts to the love of God, it also opens it to the love of our
brothers and sisters, and makes us capable of shaping history according to God's plan” (Pope
John Paul II. Novo Millennio Ineunte, January 6, 2001. Paragraphs 32-33). This week, explore some of the
different styles of prayer Pope John Paul II mentions above: offer prayers in thanksgiving for gifts
and blessings received by God; offer prayers of praise for all the wonderful things God has done
and continues to do; offer prayers of adoration by spending some quiet moments before the
tabernacle; offer prayers of contemplation by reflecting honestly and openly upon one element of
your life in God; offer prayers of listening by sitting silently in the presence of God; offer prayers
of ardent devotion by placing your heart, your very life, completely and freely into the hands of
God.
Intercessions: (Response: Lord, hear our prayer)
Leader:
On this Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, let us fervently place our needs and
prayers in the loving hands of God.
7
For our Church built upon the Rock of Peter, and the dedicated and faithful devotion of Paul:
may the Church continue to boldly respond to the call of Christ to spread the message of the
Gospel to all the corners of the world, we pray to the Lord …
For our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who stands in an unbroken line directly back to Peter: may
his pastoral stewardship be firmly rooted in the rock of our Church and in the preaching of the
Apostles, we pray to the Lord …
For all the varied Communities of the Faithful spread throughout the world, may we join
together as one in our prayer, and fervently pray for peace and justice, for an end to all forms of
violence and persecution, and for an end to all war, we pray to the Lord …
For the strength of Paul to inspire all people of faith to respond to persecution solely with the
message of Christ for protection, not to take up the sword, and not to respond to violence with
more violence, we pray to the Lord …
For each of us, called through our baptism to spread the Gospel message to the world: may we,
like Paul, respond to this call, so that on the day of our passing from this world, we may stand
before Christ and honestly say we fought the good fight, we pray to the Lord …
For the courage and conviction to respond to the question Jesus asked of his disciples,
concerning who he is, with “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”, we pray to the Lord
For our Jewish brothers and sisters in faith, may their prayer and dedication to their faith
teachings and traditions, continue to lead them in their lives rooted in God, we pray to the Lord …
For all students, teachers and support staff as they begin their summer school break, may the
summer be a time of rest and refreshment, renewing them in their dedication to teach and learn, we
pray to the Lord …
For all the recently deceased, may they journey safely home into the loving embrace of God, we
pray to the Lord ...
How can we help you in prayer this week?
Let us pray
(together):
O God, who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul
gave us the noble and holy joy of this day,
grant, we pray, that your Church may in all things follow the teachings
and example of your Holy Apostles. Amen.
With hands and hearts united in gratitude for God’s favors on us today, we pray that all
those in our influence be moved to be open to your Word and your Spirit, while we say as
one, OUR FATHER
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Wishing all our subscribers to Celebrating the Word
a summer of rest, reflection and renewed awareness of
how much we are loved by our compassionate God!
Celebrating the Word, Resurrection Ministries of the Congregation of the Resurrection Ontario-Kentucky Province
(including the former Resurrection Centre), 265 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G7.
(Celebrating the Word was founded by Father Frank Ruetz, C.R., now deceased). For information or subscriptions:
Toll Free: 1-877-242-7935. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.celebratingtheword.com. The
scripture version used in this commentary is the New Revised Standard Version (copyrighted by the National Council
of the Church of Christ in the USA)
8