- James 1:2-4 -

- James 1:2-4 -

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not
lacking anything.
_____________________________________________________________________

James doesn't say if you face trials, but whenever you face them. He assumes
that we will have trials and that it is possible to profit from them. The point
is not to pretend to be happy when you face pain, but to have a positive outlook
("consider it pure joy") because of what trials can produce in our lives. Jesus
tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning. Tough times can teach us
perseverance.


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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)


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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.

Come, let us worship and bow down, bend the knee before the Lord who made us;
for he himself is our God and we are his flock, the sheep that follow his hand.

If only, today, you would listen to his voice: "Do not harden your hearts
as you did at Meribah, on the day of Massah in the desert, when your fathers
tested me -
they put me to the test, although they had seen my works".

"For forty years they wearied me, that generation.
I said: their hearts are wandering, they do not know my paths.
I swore in my anger: they will never enter my place of rest".

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
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