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