Rock and Roll

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
29 June 2008

First reading Acts 12:1 - 11
It was about this time that King Herod started persecuting certain members of the Church. He beheaded James the brother of John, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he decided to arrest Peter as well. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread, and he put Peter in prison, assigning four squads of four soldiers each to guard him in turns. Herod meant to try Peter in public after the end of Passover week. All the time Peter was under guard the Church prayed to God for him unremittingly.

On the night before Herod was to try him, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with double chains, while guards kept watch at the main entrance to the prison. Then suddenly the angel of the Lord stood there, and the cell was filled with light. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him. ‘Get up!’ he said ‘Hurry!’ – and the chains fell from his hands. The angel then said, ‘Put on your belt and sandals.’ After he had done this, the angel next said, ‘Wrap your cloak round you and follow me.’ Peter followed him, but had no idea that what the angel did was all happening in reality; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed through two guard posts one after the other, and reached the iron gate leading to the city. This opened of its own accord; they went through it and had walked the whole length of one street when suddenly the angel left him. It was only then that Peter came to himself. ‘Now I know it is all true’ he said. The Lord really did send his angel and has saved me from Herod and from all that the Jewish people were so certain would happen to me.’

Second reading 2 Timothy 4:6 - 18
As for me, my life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.
The Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Matthew 16:13 - 19
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’

Reflection
By Pietro S. Albano

One Sunday Mass, Poldo sat just next to the door of the church flipping through some reading materials displayed there. He never knelt or stood straight as the other worshippers did accordingly.

Simone, another parishioner, was sat further near the altar. She stood when it was required and knelt when it was necessary. However, as she was going out when Mass came to end, she blurted "This is a church, not a nursery!" as she had a distaste for the children parishioners' own liturgy in the Mass.

We sometimes behave like Poldo; we are never bothered with our faith. We are indifferent in approaching the sacraments as though they are mere rituals that we have been so used to do. We too can at times behave like Simone; we can be too conservative that anything 'new' should be rejected. We have been certified Catolico cerrado (Catholic through and through) that we can no longer welcome others let alone children.

When they were called to follow Jesus, Peter and Paul didn't take things lightly although there have been moments in their life when they have faltered. Yet they kept themselves focused - always bothering themselves with the preaching of Christ's Gospel and welcoming more and more members to the Church - including non-Jews. Peter was the 'rock' who was deeply rooted in Christ and has served as a foundation for us believers. Paul was the 'roll' who braved the seas and what have you to evangelize the Gentiles. Both had a horrible end, but what's important for them was that God be glorified and men be saved.







Lord God, You chose the apostles Peter and Paul to be witnesses of Your salvation. May we also follow their footsteps as we profess the Faith they have loved and shed their blood for. In Jesus' name. Amen.