Personal...Private

~~~ Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles ~~~

~~~Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11 ~~Psalm 34~~~ 

~~~ 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 ~~~ Matthew 16:13-19 ~~~

Wrongfully imprisoned, rescued by an angel of the Lord,
committed to spreading the words of God's mercy and love.

Saints Peter and Paul had much in common,
yet they were two very different men.
Peter was blessed to walk along side of Jesus, to share
the breaking of the bread with him.

Peter loved Jesus tremendously and still crumbled
 into a state of denial. He could not admit even knowing Jesus.

Peter was released from his prison cell
when the angel came along with the bright light.
He even had time to grab his cloak before fleeing.

By contrast, when Paul was in prison and his chains fell to the ground,
he remained. He was to convert the prison guard and his family.

I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.

If it were not for the lives and actions of Peter and Paul
the whole life of the message of Jesus
might not have survived into the future...now today.

These two men were among the most influential people;
 we remember with gratitude today.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.

The Lord did indeed rescue them
from the snares of the evil one, even as they faced death.

He brought them into his kingdom to remain with him forever.
They were good and faithful servants of the Lord.
They ran the good race. They are now able to be advocates for all of us.

They were confident of the answer to Jesus' question,
 “But who do you say that I am?”

They knew who Jesus was with every fiber of their being.
They were willing to endure great trials
 and tribulations for their conviction.

We do not need to be like Peter or Paul to be convicted in our faith.
We must, however, know how to answer
this question posed by Jesus.
We need to know who Jesus is, not only to us
 but for the whole world.

How can we complete the good race if we cannot answer the question?
This question is not rhetorical it does require an answer.
Our answer, not the answer of Peter or Paul
or the answer of our friends and family.

No one can speak on your behalf
in response to who YOU say Jesus is...
this is personal and private.

Saints Peter and Paul we thank you
 for believing in Jesus and his message.

May we be blessed with the courage and strength to continue each day.
May we be able to say at the end of our life...
we did run the good race...
we kept the faith...
we were rescued from every evil threat.
~~~Peace~~~