June 29 Breakfast With the Word Solemnity of Ss Peter and Paul.
Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18, Matthew 16:13-19.
Fidelity means faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support. It entails allegiance to someone or on what you believe.
When we look and analyse the lives of Peter and Paul, we cannot but conclude that their lives are pointers to what it means to show fidelity to God.
They were so determined in the spread of the gospel message that neither persecution nor suffering was able to stop them. They lived their lives only for the cause of the salvation of souls and the gospel. Let us have a brief journey in the lives of the duo.
1. Peter was once a Fisherman, but when called by Jesus, Peter left everything and joined the league of the apostles.
Secondly, the bible records that Jesus visited the mother in law of Peter in Matthew 8:14, which implies that Peter had a wife and possibly children, but Peter left all and followed Jesus.
Luke told us in Acts 18:3 that Paul was a tenth maker but later became a staunch converter of souls. Their lives teach us that despite what we do and how busy we are, we should not forget that the work of God reigns supreme over everything.
So, to show their fidelity to the call and God, they leave everything.
Therefore, Ss Peter and Paul teach us that God should be the first in everything we do.
We should also consider Him as the most important. Therefore, nothing should come in between our relationship with God.
2. Despite their zeal, they also made mistakes: Peter denied the Lord three times, while Paul persecuted the Church of God. But they were transformed by the questions Jesus asks them; Simon, son of John, do you love me? (John 21:15); and; Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? (Acts 9:4).
Peter was grieved by the question of Jesus, while Paul was made blind by His words.
Jesus follows the question of Peter with; feed my sheep. Jesus charges him to shepherd his flock.
While that of Paul is; I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and they will tell what you must do. (Acts 9:6).
Therefore, this teaches us that despite our pasts, God can still touch us. There is hope for a change. Ss Peter and Paul encountered Jesus and encountered change. We need to pray for the grace of daily encounter. We encounter Jesus through the word and the Holy Eucharist. Moments that we spend with the Lord should change us.
3.With both experiences, SS Peter and Paul were transformed and remained in obedience to the mission given to them.
Jesus changed their names from Simon to Peter, From Saul to Paul and changed their lives. The one who denied him became the leader of the Church. The one who persecuted Him became an apostle of the gentiles, to the extent that we still read most of his epistles today.
The life of Ss Peter and Paul is a pointer that God can still use anyone.
Our pasts are nothing before God if we can obey Him and change our lives. Then, If we can seek Him with all our hearts today and ask Him to forgive us, He will transform us.
Whatever God wants you to do, He will continually work on you to lead you to your vocation.
Like these apostles, Jesus is asking us; do you truly love me? If you love me, why do you do the things you do?
He is also asking us; why are you persecuting me? When we treat others with hatred like St. Paul did, we are also persecuting Jesus.
He says in Matthew 25:40 that whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me. So, when we are intimidating others who belong to the body of Christ, when we are fighting their ministers, we are also persecuting Jesus.
When we are leading others astray through the lives that we live, we are also persecuting Jesus. So, like Paul, Jesus is asking us; why are you persecuting Me?
4. Truly, Ss Peter and Paul offered everything they have. They sacrifice their lives, their energy, their resources etc., for the cause of the gospel.
Today in the gospel, Jesus tells him; You are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my Church”.
Peter remained committed to this vocation. Therefore, Ss Peter and Paul are teaching us to stay committed to every course we choose in touching lives and spreading the word of God.
5.In the first reading today, we see how they put Peter in prison, and in the second reading, we see a letter Paul wrote from prison describing how he has poured out his life as a libation.
One truth about these apostles from the two readings is that they suffered but put all their hope in God. Their suffering for the gospel shows true fidelity to God.
In the first reading, the Church prays, and the angel delivers Peter. Also, in the second reading, Paul says it was the Lord who stood by Him and gave Him strength. The apostles rest all their power and hope on God. Therefore, SS Peter and Paul teach us the secret that every Christian must possess. We have to seek the presence of God and pray that He be with us in everything we do in life. This is the secret of Joshua, Joseph, David etc (Genesis 39:20-21, Joshua 6:27, 1 Samuel 18:12-15).
6. In the Acts of the Apostles, we see the long missionary journey of Paul from Jerusalem first to Syria and Asia Minor.
Then to Greece and finally to Rome. Then, at Rome, Paul was martyred.
Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom. The blood of these apostles is for the cause they believe.
It is a sign of how they put all their heart, life, hope and faith in God. It is a rare sign of fidelity seen today among believers. Therefore, Ss Peter and Paul teach us to learn how to give God all.
We show Fidelity to God in everything that we do. We prove our love to God in how we take the work given to us, how we give God all we can, and how we can remain strong and stay convinced and committed despite the challenges, the cross and oppositions we face in our Christian journey. These rare virtues are what we can learn from these great apostles Ss Peter and Paul.
May God bless you and give you the grace to remain faithful and overcome all your challenges today, Amen.
Read More.
What It Means To Be A Follower of Jesus Christ
When You Need Healing From God, Do These
The Centurion teaches us six things that gladden the Heart of God
May our Past never be an obstacle to God’s plan for us. Thanks a lot Padre for this soul enriching reflection. May SS Peter and Paul continue to pray for us. Amen
Amen,indeed it is good to follow God in truth and in spirit. I pray that the Almighty God will continue to strengthen you as you shepherd his flock through the right path. May his grace always abound in you and all that you do. Amen!
Amen father
Amen, God bless you Fr.
Amen. SS Peter and Paul pray for us Amen
Amen. Oh, Jesus, I pray for the grace of daily encounter with You through Your word and the Eucharist
Reading through the Daily inspiration message Every Morning gives me hope and Courage to face my Daily Challenges.
May God Continue To Inspire You Fr. To Do More Amen
Amen, this is a delicious breakfast. Thanks and God bless you Father
May God give us the strength to serve him Amen.
Lord teach to serve you with sincere devotion in all I do. May your presence be with me always in all I do. Amen
May God help us to remain faithful to our vocations and give us the grace to rise and begin again when we fall.
Amen
Amen….. May God help me to live a faithful life to Christ
Amen
And may He continue to bless you too Padre
May God bless his words in our hearts and use us greatly to the greater Glory of his name Amen
Lord give us the grace to follow you always and do your will Amen.
I was really touched by today’s word and I pray that God grant me the zeal to love the things of God more in Jesus name amen.
Amen this reading when you read it u feel like God is talking to yiu
Oh God! Please give me the grace to seek your presence and allow you to lead me in all ramifications.🙏
Amen.We need God’s grace to remain faithful to Him
Amen ooooooo.
Amen oooooooooo, I pray God to give me his grace for his grace alone is sufficient for me.
Thank you Fr.
For the word, but I have a question, I’ll quickly go to my WhatsApp message and type it to you, so I can get the answers once you send it.
Catherine Nzekwe (OLLC)
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Amen
Amen
Dear Lord please help me to seek you daily and put first above everything in Jesus name! Amen.
Amen
Thank you Padre. Remain blessed
Amen and Amen, more wisdom and in Jesus name Amen.
Amen.
I pray for God’s grace to be faithful to him and to remain faithful to him…Amen
Father Sanctus may God’s oil of anointing never run dry in you.
That God will continue to sustain and direct you and that he will help you to equally remain faithful to him..Amen
Amen
Amen,
Remain blessed fr
Amen
Amen
Amen. I pray for a daily encounter with the Lord.
Amen
May God enlighten and strengthen and guide me to live in chris our Lord,Amen🙏🙏🙏
Amen
Amen!
Amen
Amen, remain blessed Fr
Amen 🙏.
Amen.
Amen. I need the grace to keep touching lives through my commitments
Amen and Amen
Amen Fr
Amen and Amen!
Thank you Fr. This is so deep. God give us the perfect understanding of His Word, Amen!
Amennnnnnn
Amen, remain blessed Fr.
Amen and amen. Remain richly blessed, fr
God bless you too Fr for the inspiring words I read every morning and the Word gives me the courage and strength to face each day’s challenges. Thank you Fr
Amen, remain blessed to the glory of God’s name, Amen
Amen
Amen! Thank you Jesus for your faithful upon us your children. Lord give us the grace to be steadfast with you in order to stand firm in any trial that may come our way, we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen
Amen
Amen 🙏
Amen.Thanks Padre
Amen!!!
Amen 🙏
Amen
Amen
Amen