From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On Humility in the Sight of God [II]    
      
   It is Thine love that achieves this, freely guiding and supporting me   
   in my many needs, guarding me from grievous perils, and, as I may   
   truthfully confess, rescuing me from evils without number. And whereas   
   by perverse self-love I had lost myself, (John 12:25) now by lovingly   
   seeking Thee alone, I have found both myself and Thee; for by that   
   love I have humbled myself to utter nothingness. Dearest Lord, You   
   deal with me above my deserts, and above all I dare hope or pray for.   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3, Ch 8   
      
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   June 29th - The Feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul   
      
   Saint Augustine wrote of these holy men: “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.”   
      
   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.   
      
   Saint Peter (1-64), disciple of Christ, first Pope, and “rock” of the   
   Church., was born Simeon, but renamed by Christ to reflect his special   
   role in the formation of the Church. He later confirmed his “new”   
   name, and endowed him with the powers of the keys of heaven:   
      
   16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."   
   17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was   
   not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell   
   you that you are Peter [translated as “the rock”], and on this rock I   
   will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19   
   I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind   
   on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will   
   be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16: 16-19)   
      
   Jesus also specifically charged Saint Peter with the task of   
   shepherding His flock as first Vicar of the Church. In Saint Peter and   
   his successors, we have a visible sign of unity and communion in faith   
   and charity:   
      
   15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon   
   son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"   
   "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."   
   Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."   
   16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"   
   He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."   
   Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."   
   17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"   
   Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love   
   me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."   
   Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. (John 21: 15-17)   
      
   Peter was born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. Like his younger   
   brother Andrew, he was a professional fisherman and dwelt at   
   Capernaum, where Jesus would stay, performing miracles, whenever he   
   was preaching in that area. Following the miraculous catch of fish   
   that Christ used to make them “fishers of men,” together with his   
   brothers John and Andrew, Peter felt the call to become the first of   
   Jesus' disciples.   
      
   Following his encounter with Jesus, Peter’s life changed dramatically.   
   We know that he left his wife, family, and job to follow Christ. He   
   served as the leader of the disciples, especially following the   
   crucifixion, but beforehand as well. Peter occupied a privileged   
   station as spokesperson for the group, as well as selection to be   
   present at the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. Somewhat   
   quick to anger and temperamental, Peter’s words and deeds sometimes   
   got him into trouble, but also set the stage for his thrice-over   
   denial of Jesus, a lesson which led to great humility and prepared him   
   for his position as Pope.   
      
   After the Ascension of Christ, we know that Peter took a leading role,   
   embracing the office of shepherd that had been entrusted to him. He   
   delivered the first sermon on Pentecost, during the descent of the   
   Holy Spirit, and confirmed the first Gentiles into the Church:   
      
   42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is   
   the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All   
   the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him   
   receives forgiveness of sins through his name." (Acts 10: 42-43)   
      
   But much of Saint Peter’s life is lost to history. We know that he was   
   present at the Council of Jerusalem (where he gave support to   
   preaching to the Gentiles, leading to the universality of the Church),   
   became the first bishop of Antioch, received and visited with saint   
   Paul, and labored in Rome as an apostle. He is responsible for   
   appointed the replacement of Judas Iscariot, and was the first to   
   perform miracles in the name of the Lord. He further wrote two   
   epistles, the first Papal Encyclicals of the Church.   
      
   16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about   
   the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were   
   eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from   
   God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory,   
   saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."18   
   We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with   
   him on the sacred mountain. (2 Peter 1: 16-18)   
      
   Saint Peter was imprisoned by King Herod Agrippa, and was miraculously   
   freed by an angel. Rather than turn from his apostolic mission, he   
   returned to Jerusalem, traveled teaching the Good News, and returned   
   to Rome (where he labored for 25 years, building the Church of God).   
   He was crucified by Emperor Nero on Vatican Hill, and his relics are   
   now enshrined under the high alter of Saint Peter’s Basilica. From the   
   earliest days of the Church, Peter was recognized as the Prince of the   
   Apostles and the first Supreme Pontiff. His see, Rome, has thus   
   enjoyed the position of primacy over the entire Catholic Church.   
      
   O Glorious Saint Peter, because of your vibrant and generous faith,   
   sincere humility and flaming love our Lord honored you with singular   
   privileges and especially leadership of the whole Church. Obtain for   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)