Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles

The Collect
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, now and for ever. Amen.

The Psalm
87

The Readings
Ezekiel 34:11-16     +     II Timothy 4:1-8     +     John 21:15-19

Of Zion it shall be said, "Everyone was born in her,
     and the Most High himself shall sustain her."
The LORD will record as he enrolls the peoples,
     "These also were born there."
The singers and the dancers will say,
     "All my fresh springs are in you."

~Psalm 87:4-6

The collect, psalm, and readings for this day emphasize both the universality of the gospel--the gathering in of God's people from all nations--and the cost of that proclamation for these two great apostles, who gave their lives in martyrdom for the sake of the gospel.

In several places in the New Testament, we see Paul and Peter in disagreement. Sometimes it's explicit and sometimes only hinted at. Mostly, it has to do with the very question of the universality of the gospel, and how the gentiles, "the nations," are to be incorporated into the People of God. The apostles and the communities they led had to grapple with the practical implications of proclaiming Jesus as both the long-awaited Messiah of the Jews and the Lord of lords and King of kings, who is to judge the living and the dead. The culturally diverse world of the first-century Roman Empire meant that such a confession led to all sorts of questions about the Jewish law and morality, the old religions, and the identity and life of the People of God. We see these discussion played out especially in Paul's letters. But for all the debates and disagreements, some of which are still with us today, the place where both Paul and Peter were one was in their love for Jesus. For love of Jesus, Paul was willing to be poured out as a libation. For love of Jesus, Peter willingly followed him, knowing that it would lead to being stretched out in the agony of a death like his Lord's.

As the Episcopal Church approaches the General Convention next week, and the inevitable and passionate debates about how to best and most faithfully carry out the work of the gospel, may we look to Peter and Paul as examples. For to do so will mean that above all else we look in love and longing to Jesus. Come what may, he is the one foundation, upon which we may ever stand firm.

Closing Prayer

Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

~A prayer For the Mission of the Church, BCP p. 816

The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

(transferred from June 24)

The Collect
Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Psalm
85

The Readings
Isaiah 40:1-11     +     Acts 13:14b-26     +     Luke 1:57-80

... and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God.

~ Luke 1:59-64

From a sermon for this feast, by St. Augustine:

"John marks the frontier between the Old and the New Testaments. The Lord speaks of him as a boundary line: 'The law and the prophets are valid until John the Baptist.' He represents the Old Testament and at the same time introduces the New. His parents were old, in keeping with his first role: while yet in his mother's womb he was saluted as a prophet, in recognition of his second. Although he was not yet born at the time of Mary's visitation, he leaped in his mother's womb. His mission was made clear, even before he was born. He was revealed as Christ's precursor, before he so much as saw him. This divine mysteries transcend man's feeble understanding. When at last he was born and received his name, his father's tongue was loosened . . . Zachary's tongue was loosened, because a voice was born."

Closing Prayer
Lord God of the prophets, we praise you for sending John as the Forerunner of your promised Christ. Help us to heed his voice, and the voice of everyone who cries out to point us back to you; help us to be open to your Spirit, that our voices also may proclaim the coming of the One who is our hope, even Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Saint Barnabas the Apostle

The Collect
Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Psalm
112

The Readings
Isaiah 42:5-12     +     Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3     +     Matthew 10:7-16

Thus says God, the LORD,
     who created the heavens and stretched them out,

     who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
     and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness,
     I have taken you by the hand and kept you ...

~Isaiah 42:5-6a

These verses form part of one of the "servant songs" in the book of Isaiah--songs about a suffering, righteous servant appointed by God. Christians have understood these songs to point to Jesus, the Messiah, and in several places the gospels draw on the words and images of these songs to show Jesus as the fulfilment of the prophet's words. But as we read in today's Gospel, when Jesus sends out the Twelve, he instructs them: "Proclaim the good news . . . cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons" (Matt. 10:7-8). Those called and sent by Jesus are to do the very things that Jesus does; our ministry is his ministry, in which we participate. 

So, today receive these words as spoken to you: the God who creates all that is, who stretched out the heavens and the earth and gives life to all who move upon it--this God has called you, will hold you, and will keep you.  

Closing Prayer
Thank you, God, for calling us and empowering us for the ministry of your gospel. Help us, like your servant Barnabas, to be good, joyful, and faithful. And may we remember that you hold us always; through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.