29 Jun
Mon
SS Peter & Paul, Apostles
Acts 12:1-11
Ps. 33(34):2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9
2 Tim. 4:6-8,17-18
Mt. 16:13-19
(Psalter proper)
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As we celebrate the feast of these two early pioneers of the Christian community, what stands out is the fact that the Lord stood by them in all the difficulties that they faced as a result of their decision to follow Jesus and share in His ministry.

Yet if we look back at their early lives, we see them more as mere mortals rather than the spiritual giants that they finally became. Peter who denied Christ thrice hardly seems to be a likely candidate to be the rock on which Jesus was to found His Church. Likewise, Paul the great persecutor of Christians was initially viewed with suspicion when he suddenly switched camps and then went on to be the apostle of the Gentiles.

Despite their own personal frailty, God was able to work in and through them, transforming their lives in a way that even they would not have been able to envisage. In turn, they learnt to trust and rely in the Lord, aware that the One who had sent them would not abandon them. They also learnt that it was God who gave them power and so they learnt to rely less on their own strengths and capabilities.

Today, let us realize that we too are called and sent by the Lord to be His apostles in the places where we live and work. Yet this call may seem too challenging and daunting to us, unless we learn to rely on God for strength and power. By ourselves, it may seem a lost cause, but with God all things are possible!



Lord, You are my strength and my shield.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That International attention towards the poorer countries may give rise to more concrete help, in particular to relieve them of the crushing burden of foreign debt.
Elaboration

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