What flesh and blood reveal about Christ is always doubtful. “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Simon Peter had the right confession when he repeated what the Father had revealed.
At Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan, God said, “This is My Son.” Peter obviously learned his catechism lessons well. The One Who cast out demons, Who healed the sick and raised the dead, the One heading to the cross for our salvation – He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
St. Peter confessed at Caesarea Philippi what He received from God. St. Paul confessed the same, repeating what the Lord had given him: “Take eat, this is My Body, which is broken for you . . . This cup is the New Testament in My Blood.”
When the Holy Apostles repeat what they are given, this gives us something to trust in, to be sure of. Through it, we hear that our sins are forgiven. We hear that God is reconciled with poor sinners because of Jesus’ death. St. Peter and St. Paul alike instruct us that “Baptism now saves” us and that, having been baptized into Christ, we are buried with Him and raised again to live in newness of life.
When you repeat back your catechism, you make the good confession with Saints Peter and Paul. Recite the Ten Commandments and learn from them to recognize your sins. Pray the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer and learn to speak like sons of the Father. Remember your Baptism daily, for by it, God has made the good confession over you: “This is My son whom I love, with whom I am well pleased.”
What opinions may arise in you and me about Jesus are always questionable. But what God has revealed to us through His Son, and through His witnesses, His Holy Apostles, can be trusted. He is Christ the crucified, and you are God’s dearly beloved on account of it.
“Merciful and eternal God, from whom the holy apostles St. Peter and St. Paul received grace and strength to lay down their lives for the sake of your Son, grant that, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, we may with like constancy confess your truth and be at all times ready to lay down our lives for Him who laid down his life for us.” (Collect for St. Peter and St. Paul)
Daily Readings
Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3
Galatians 3:1-14
Matthew 14:13-21
James Kiefer's Comemoration of St Peter and St Paul:
29 June 64
The Confession of Peter ("Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God") is commemorated on 18 January, and the Conversion of Paul (on the approach to Damascus) a week later on 25 January. On 29 June we commemorate the martyrdoms of both apostles. The date is the anniversary of a day around 258, under the Valerian persecution, when what were believed to be the remains of the two apostles were both moved temporarily to prevent them from falling into the hands of the persecutors.
The Scriptures do not record the deaths of Peter or Paul, or indeed any of the Apostles except for James the son of Zebedee (Acts 12:2), but they are clearly anticipated (see the readings below), and from an early date it has been said that they were martyred at Rome at the command of the Emperor Nero, and buried there. As a Roman citizen, Paul would probably have been beheaded with a sword. It is said of Peter that he was crucified head downward. The present Church of St Peter in Rome replaces earlier churches built on the same site going back to the time of the Emperor Constantine, in whose reign a church was built there on what was believed to be the burial site of Peter. Excavations under the church suggest that the belief is older than Constantine.
St. Augustine writes (Sermon 295):
Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles' blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.¶ 6/29/2006 08:59:00 AM 0 CommentsPrayer (traditional language)
Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified thee by their martyrdom: Grant that thy Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by thy Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.Prayer (contemporary language)Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdom: Grant that your Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16 (The LORD God will be a shepherd to Israel, and they shall be His flock.)
Psalm 87 (The foundations of Zion, the city of God, rest upon the holy hills. Of many nations it shall be said: In Zion were they born.)
Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 (Paul writes: "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.")
The Holy Gospel: John 21:15-19 (Jesus, after rising from the dead, said to Peter: "When you were young, you went where you would, but when you are old, you will go where you are taken." And by these words, He foretold Peter's death. He then said, "Follow me.")
