Daily Thoughts: Today we
celebrate the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, two very prominent figures in our
story of faith, two men who grounded and push forward the early Church but who
did it in very different ways. We celebrate two men who remind us why we are
Church, two men who reflect what it means to be Church.
I sometimes think that Sts. Peter and
Paul reflect the Church though it might be nice to have a triptych of saints
today with perhaps the third being a woman, like St. Mary Magdalen. If Mary
were included our celebration today our feast would surely be a more complete picture
of the Church and the Body of Christ.
However, we celebrate Peter and Paul,
two people of different approaches to life, different ways of living, different
ministries. They didn’t always agree yet they forged an energy, a spirit that
remains with us today.
St. Peter was a passionate man but one who
was easily swayed by the moment. St. Paul was a man of conviction, spirit and
energy but at least early on it was misguided. Both had to be challenged by God
to accept their roles as leaders, preachers and persons of faith.
We celebrate them today by asking them to
intercede for us before God so that we might be graced with the strength, the perseverance,
the energy, the spirit and the faith to live as a Church, as the Body of
Christ. We seek their passion so that we too might recognize God in our midst
and be able to proclaim as we journey through our life of faith, “You are the
Christ, the Son of the living God,” and “To God be glory forever and ever,
Amen!”
Have a great Sunday and many blessings
on this feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. Don’t forget to make a joyful noise with
your life today and give a little time to God!
Daily Prayer: O God, source
of every good gift and sure foundation of our life together as Church, today we
honor and celebrate Saints Peter and Paul, grace us with a share in their zeal
for preaching and living the gospel. Strengthen our faith to be witnesses, even
unto staking our lives on your promises. We offer this prayer today and always
through our one Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
A Runner’s Thoughts: Runner’s: Let us
remember that if we run the spiritual path, God is the source of our strength,
God is our footpath, and God is the finish line. If we run consciously, with
the intention to move closer to the presence of God, then our movement, the
sound of our breath becomes a profession of our faith! (Adapted from Roger
Joslin, Running the Spiritual Path)
Daily Blessing: Happy Feast of
Sts. Peter and Paul and many blessings upon everyone! I hope your Sunday has
begun well. I had a very nice day off yesterday. After celebrating the closing
mass of the retreat I traveled northwest of here to Green Bay, Wisconsin and
visited the famed football stadium Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay
Packers. I am a Pittsburgh Steeler fan but the chance to visit Lambeau Field
could not be passed up, also I truly do respect the Packers and all they have
stood for in the history of professional football. You cannot beat their
history especially the years of Vince Lombardi. It was a very nice experience and if you are
ever in the area it is certain worth the stop!
My prayer of blessing today rests in the
spirits of the saints we honor, St. Peter and St. Paul. I pray that the spirits
of Sts. Peter and Paul may be with all of you today. May you be blessed with the
spirit of faith to help you on this journey of life. May you be blessed with the
spirit of hope to get you through the rough times. May you be blessed with the
spirit of love to remind you in whose image and likeness you are created in,
how special you are and that you are never alone. May you be blessed with the spirit
of strength to not be afraid to proclaim the Good News and to not be afraid to
make a mistake. Through the spirits of St. Peter and St. Paul know that God is with you always and will
never leave you to face your perils alone! Happy Sunday everyone!
Don’t forget to give God a little time and
don’t forget to make a joyful noise with your life today! Peace in Christ’s
Passion…Fr. Paul
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