From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   June 29th - Sts. Peter and Paul   
      
   St. Paul   
      
   Once again factual biographical data is limited. Scripture tells us that Paul   
   was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Benjamin in Tarsus, Cicilia. Most   
   likely he was close in age to Jesus. Judging from the history of that century   
   he   
   would have studied Scripture at the Synagogue until age 10, and then the   
   Mishnah   
   or oral law. We know that he studied under Gamaliel, probably at about the age   
   of 15 or 16.   
      
   It was considered an obligation for a Pharisee to marry, but 1 Cor 7:7 leads us   
   to believe that Paul never did. A 2nd century document tells us that Paul was   
   small in size and well built, had a rather long nose, was bald-headed,   
   bow-legged and full of grace. He was seen as a man, but at times had the   
   countenance of an angel. He was a tent-maker by trade.   
      
   We first meet Paul in Acts 7:58. He was trying to destroy the newly developing   
   Christian Church and approved the killing of Stephen. Chapter 9 of Acts goes on   
   to tell us of his conversion. Like Peter, numerous books have been written   
   about   
   Paul. The scope of this presentation is too limited to describe at length his   
   activities in proclaiming the Word.   
      
   He is called the "Apostle of the Gentiles" as we learn from Acts 22:24. More   
   than half of the Chapters of Acts (13-28) refer to Paul's activities and   
   mission   
   journey's. Unfortunately it ends abruptly with his imprisonment in Rome.   
      
   Tradition tells us that Paul was freed after 2 years and made a 4th missionary   
   journey, possibly to Spain, but more likely to Macedonia. When he returned to   
   Rome he was again arrested and imprisoned. Whether he and Peter were condemned   
   together is uncertain, but as a Roman citizen Paul was beheaded rather than   
   crucified. This is believed to have occurred on the Ostian Way near Aqua   
   Salviæ.   
   According to Tertullian the year was 64 A.D., but according to Eusebius it was   
   67 A.D.   
      
   Paul like Peter had a strong personality. He gave himself totally; body, mind   
   and spirit to the spreading of the Good News of Jesus. He could be gentle as a   
   lamb to those who were weak and fragile in their faith, or ruthless as a lion   
   toward those who would lead his newly baptized children astray. He was willing   
   to accept any hardship to spread the Word of Christ and to strengthen those who   
   had come to believe in Jesus the Christ.   
      
   A note of interest: The only one Paul accepted hospitality from was a women,   
   Lydia, and many of the early evangelizers were women, something which was   
   unheard of at that time in the Jewish tradition.   
      
      
   St. Peter   
      
   There is little biographical data given about St. Peter. From Scriptures we   
   know   
   that his father's name was Jona and he had a brother named Andrew, who worked   
   with him as a commercial fisherman. Peter was married and his mother-in-law   
   lived with him. Whether or not his wife was still alive or if they had any   
   children we do not know, although some take it that 1 Cor 9:5 means that his   
   wife traveled with him. He was from Bethsaida in Galilee but at some point   
   moved   
   to Capharnaum. This is about all that we know factually about Peter's   
   background.   
      
   As we read the Gospels we learn a great deal about Peter, the man. He was a   
   very   
   strong, down to earth sort of fellow who had the same weaknesses that we all   
   share. He was a leader and this is seen throughout the Gospels and Epistles. He   
   was the first to publicly recognize Jesus as "Son of God." It is Peter whose   
   name is changed to Cephas meaning rock upon which Jesus tells them that he will   
   build His church. In listing the names of the apostles, Peter's name is always   
   listed first.   
      
   He was an impetuous man. When Jesus was to be arrested it was Peter who cut off   
   the servants ear in an act of defense. He jumped out of the boat to walk across   
   the water to Jesus. He also experienced doubt and began to sink and had to cry   
   out to Jesus to save him. He swore everlasting loyalty to Jesus at the Last   
   Supper "...I will never leave you even though all the rest do..." Yet in the   
   courtyard of the High Priest's house he denied Jesus 3 times. He recognized his   
   weakness and "...wept bitterly." He remained faithful in spite of his lapse and   
   stayed with the other apostles after Jesus death waiting and struggling to   
   understand. In Luke 24:34 we see that Jesus forgave him and appeared especially   
   to him.   
      
   We also hear Peter telling Jesus what a sacrifice he and the other disciples   
   had   
   made and wanting to know what reward they would receive. We see him accepting   
   Jesus teaching of forgiveness but wanting to limit it to just seven times.   
      
   In the Catholic Encyclopedia there are 6 pages devoted to Peter and there are   
   many books written about him. There is a great deal that could be said which is   
   beyond the scope of our presentation here.   
      
   The details of Peter's death are uncertain but a commonly held tradition has it   
   that he was arrested in Rome and incarcerated at the Maritine Prison and   
   subsequently crucified head down about the year 64 A.D. There are some who say   
   that under Nero Peter and Paul were martyred at the same time about the year 67   
   A.D. The celebration of his feast on June 29th goes back to the time of   
   Constantine or perhaps earlier.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not   
   be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your   
   hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a   
   reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your   
   conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good   
   conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer   
   for   
   doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.   
   --Saint Peter in the Third Chapter of his First Epistle   
      
   Bible Quote   
   29 I know that, after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you,   
   not   
   sparing the flock. 30 And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse   
   things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, keeping in   
   memory, that for three years I ceased not, with tears to admonish every one of   
   you night and day. 32 And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his   
   grace, who is able to build up, and to give an inheritance among all the   
   sanctified.  (Acts 20:29-32)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Psalm 94   
      
   A call to worship   
      
   Come, let us rejoice in the Lord, let us acclaim God our salvation.   
   Let us come before him proclaiming our thanks, let us acclaim him with songs.   
      
   For the Lord is a great God, a king above all gods.   
   For he holds the depths of the earth in his hands, and the peaks of the   
   mountains are his.   
   For the sea is his: he made it; and his hands formed the dry land.   
      
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)