Saints Peter and Paul, apostles: 29 June

Saints Peter and Paul made a significant contribution to the spread of the Christian faith after the death of Jesus Christ. St Peter is the 'Rock' upon which God built his church, promoting the ministry until he suffered persecution and eventually death. Meanwhile St Paul tirelessly preached the good news to the Gentiles until he was imprisoned and martyred in Rome.

Readings of the day

Acts 12:1-11  Describes how Peter was rescued from prison by an angel.

'Suddenly and angel of the Lord was standing there, and light shone in the cell. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him...'

2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18   Outlines Paul's reflection on his devoted life as a follower of Christ.

'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race...'

Matthew's gospel 16:13-19 Tells about the moment of Peter's profession of faith to Jesus.

'You are the Messiah, the son of the living God...'

Saint Paul on humility

 Let the same mind be in you as was also in Christ Jesus.

Who, being in the form of God,

did not count equality with God

something to be grasped.

But he emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

born in human likeness,

and found in human shape;

he humbled himself,

becoming obedient unto death, death on a cross.

And therefore God highly exalted hm,

and granted him the name above every name

so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend

of beings heavenly, earthly and under the earth.

And every tongue acknowledge

that Jesus Christ is Lord

to the glory of God the Father.

Phil 2:6-11

Saint Peter

Impulsive master of misunderstanding,

You comfort me with all your big mistakes;

Jumping the ship before you make the landing,

Placing the bet before you know the stakes.

I love the way you step out without knowing,

The way you sometimes speak before you think,

The way your broken faith is always growing,

The way he holds you even when you sink.

Born to a world that always tried to shame you,

Your shaky ego vulnerable to shame,

I love the way that Jesus chose to name you,

Before you knew how to deserve that name.

And in the end your Saviour let you prove

That each denial is undone by love.

From 'Sounding the Seasons - seventy sonnets for the Christian year'  by Malcolm Guite.