Greetings on this the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Readings: Acts 12:1-11; PS 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18; Mt 16:13-19
Notes: The Catholic Church identifies as being the Church of Ss Peter and Paul who were both martyrs for Christ. The development of their ministries is laid out in sequence in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.
First reading
The first attempted assassination of Peter failed:
He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword,
and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews
he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
Responsorial Psalm
The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
Second reading
Paul sensing his impending death:
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.
Alleluia Verse
You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
Gospel Portion
(Peter) I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
In the generally accepted meaning of this verse it is the authority to teach, legislate and adjudicate matters of temporal and eternal matters.
In the emerging spiritual sense, it is the mission of evangelization.
- We bind ourselves and others to faith in the Creator.
- We bind ourselves to self-sacrifice for Creation.
- We loosen the bonds of slavery.
- We loosen the bonds of illness and death.
We bind and loosen on Earth that we/they/all of us may be bound and loosed in Heaven.
Bind yourself to the Lord.
Loosen others from their prisons.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 