Dear Disciples of Christ at Holy Spirit, St. Helen’s, and St. Mary’s,
The Rock and the Rolling Stone
This Sunday is a rare occurrence when a Saint’s Feast takes a precedence over the regular Sunday Liturgy. Namely, we had the gift of honoring two great Saints at Mass this past weekend, Saints Peter and Paul. The Apostle Peter named by Jesus, as the ROCK on which He would build His church. He is the first Pope and his profession of faith in Jesus as Lord and God continues to guide and inspire us. Peter is a sign of unity in the Church. We know his betrayal and beautiful affirmation of love of his Lord. He was martyred in Rome.
Then there is Saint Paul. If Peter was a rock of stability, Paul was a bit of a rolling stone. He gathered no moss. We know Paul’s conversion story of how he went from persecuting Christians to boldly proclaiming Christ. Paul didn’t sit still. He journeyed throughout the known world of his day preaching Jesus Crucified and Risen. He established Churches, appointed Bishops and Priests, wrote letter upon letter to communities and individuals. Paul, who had been the most faithful and law abiding Jew led the way for non-Jewish converts to embrace Christianity without first following the Jewish law. Paul, also, was martyred in Rome.
Paul preached independence. Independence from having to first embrace Jewish Law before becoming a follower of Jesus. He also preached independence from SIN which is a freedom that God wants for us and Jesus obtained. In a few days, our nation will celebrate its Independence Day. May we embrace the freedom won for us by the founders of our country, preserved and fought for by many and enjoyed by us. Let us ask God’s blessing on our country, citizens, and leaders. And I pray, with Father Tom and all our staff, that you have a blest, enjoyable and safe Independence Day celebration with friends and loved ones.
Love, Fr. Ian