The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul – Sunday 29th June 2025. (episode: 536)

The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul – 

Sunday 29th June 2025. (episode: 536)

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 41136337. Icon of saint Apostles Paul and Peter on mahogany and gold. By Dmitry Kalinovsky

Solemnity of Saints Peter And Paul  29th June. (episode: 536)

Readings for the Day
FIRST READING: Acts 12:1-11;
Psalm: Ps 33:2-9 "The Lord set me free from all my fears."
SECOND READING: 2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18; 
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, (Matthew 16:18). "Alleluia, alleluia!
You are Peter, the rock on which I will build my Church; the gates of hell will not hold out against it. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Mt 16:13-19
 
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 41136337. Icon of saint Apostles Paul and Peter on mahogany and gold. By Dmitry Kalinovsky
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To listen to the audio recording of the readings, prayers and reflections for this feast, please click this link here:

https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-536-the/s-PXXCD9jNjip    (episode: 536)
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

{{Goodness and kindness to you all}}

On this special (feast of) St Peter and St. Paul
Our God's love and mercy knows no bounds, and so let us recall our sins so as to worthily celebrate this Holy Sacrifice.

Lord Jesus, you built your church on the solid rock of St Peter's confession. Lord, have mercy.
You sent Saint Paul as an apostle and teacher to the Gentiles. Christ, have mercy.
Your apostles were faithful workers in your vineyard. Lord, have mercy.
 
May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Sts Peter and Paul
Euch.Prayer: 3
(PROPOSED THEME OPENING 1)
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Thanks for joining us for this time of prayer and reflection.

Dismissal:
Go in peace,  glorifying the Lord by your life.
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Prologue:  

Saints Peter and Paul died as martyrs in Rome under the persecution of Emperor Nero, between 64 and 67 AD. This prominent, outstanding feast day of the city of Rome has been observed on this date since the mid-third century. It commemorates the martyrdom of Peter the "chief of the apostles" and of Paul the "apostle to the Gentiles". They are remembered for their faith, their courage, and their leadership during the difficult days of the birth of our lord's spirit-led church. 

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HOMILY:

On this wonderful feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, here are some quotes from some of the Fathers of the Church. St. Ambrose, who lived from 340 to 397, was one of the original four doctors of the Church, and he says, 

 

"Where Peter is, there is the Church. Where the Church is, there is Jesus Christ.

Where Jesus Christ is, there is eternal salvation." 

St. Augustine, Father and Doctor of the Church, writes, "There is one feast day for the Passion of two Apostles. But these two also were as one. Although they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. We are celebrating a feast day consecrated for us by the blood of the Apostles. Let us love their faith, their lives, their labours, their sufferings, their confession of faith, their preaching."

St. Leo the Great writes, "There must be general rejoicing, dearly beloved, over this holy company whom God has appointed to give us example in patience and strengthen our faith. But we glory even more in the excellence of Peter and Paul, whom the grace of God has raised to such a height among all the members of the Church that he has set them like twin lights of eyes in that body whose head is Christ."

And happy anniversary to all those who are celebrating special occasions at this time. 

The late Pope Francis, in a June 2014 homily on Peter and Paul, and particularly addressing priests whose anniversaries are around that time of this feast, he says, "In today's feast the Lord repeats to me, to you, what he first said to the Apostles, and especially to Sts. Peter and Paul, follow me."

"Waste no time in questioning or useless chattering. Do not dwell on secondary things, but look to what is essential and follow me. Follow me without regard for the difficulties."

"Follow me in preaching the gospel. Follow me by the witness of a life shaped by the grace you received in baptism and holy orders. Follow me by speaking of me to those with whom you live day after day, in your work, your conversations, and among your friends."

"Follow me by proclaiming the gospel to all, especially to the least among us, so that no one will fail to hear the word of life, which sets us free from every fear and enables us to trust in the faithfulness of God. Follow me. So this is a wonderful feast day."

It's a wonderful genius, too, from God, to inspire a two-fold celebration of these two Apostles on the same day. It shows both unity and cooperation, a single vision, one serving the communion and care of the universal church, the other a wonderful voice of mission and inclusion, a perfect balance. Let's pray for the unity and peace of the church and the world.

Let's unite in a common vision and united action. Let's be inspired by the diverse talents and areas of focus of the mission, but guided by the same spirit that leads and guides us to bear much fruit. We also pray in thanksgiving and blessing for all priests, many of whom have their anniversary of priesthood at this time.

May God continue to strengthen and guide and bless their ministry with much fruitfulness and clarity. These wonderful Apostles, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, continue to intercede for the church and the world for continuing unity, charity, courage, and vision. 

Saint Peter and Saint Paul, pray for us.

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References:

Fr. Paul W. Kelly
 
Quotes: https://anastpaul.com/2018/06/29/quote-s-of-the-day-29-june-the-solemnity-of-saints-peter-and-paul/

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 41136337. Icon of saint Apostles Paul and Peter on mahogany and gold. By Dmitry Kalinovsky
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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to our weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants  — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009,  The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful -   " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'.   E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John (Bill) Kelly (1942-2017) -  Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time."  Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

[ Production -  KER -  2025]

May God bless and keep you.

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ - Year C - 22nd June 2025.

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). -Year C -  Sunday, 22 June 2025 (EPISODE: 536)
Readings for The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi).- Year C
FIRST READING: Gen 14:18-20
Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4. "You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek"
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 11:23-26
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:51-52). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living Bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
GOSPEL: Luke 9:11b-17.

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Vector ID: 619558265 - Eucharist symbols of bread and wine, chalice and host. Modern stained glass window style first communion vector Contributor: Thoom.
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year C - Sunday, 22 June 2025 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-535-the/s-3aJPGHrUZV5
(EPISODE: 536)
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Prologue -

 

We all know that the Eucharist is a central aspect of the church and our faith.

 

A priest I worked with many years ago once had a great image that he'd used to describe the Eucharist, and I still love it to this day. He says that weekly Mass, Sunday Mass, is like a pier on a bridge. The length of the bridge represents the journey of our daily or weekly lives. The upward supports, the pylons of the bridge, are what support the whole length of the bridge and keep the whole thing standing. So, our life is the road, and Eucharist is the vertical struts that support it at regular intervals and need to support it, and need to be on very solid foundations, lest the whole road (the whole bridge) cave in.

 

Like that image of the bridge, it's important that we recognise, and this feast day reminds us of it, that we need regular Eucharist as our weekly and for some daily support along the whole length of our life journey, lest the whole thing caves in under the weight of the world; and what a heavy weight the world is proving to be.

 

Is there anyone who could truthfully say that they can make it on their own, that they don't need God's grace, they don't need the Eucharist to sustain them, to renew them, to nourish them, when so many things are going on around us. So many different voices, so many different values, so many different sources of alleged "nourishment" arising, that ultimately end up proving to be quite empty.

 

So we need this! Jesus recognised that his disciples would need his constant loving, nurturing and nourishing word and sacrament, and so he left this for us as a living monument of his presence. [FHL]

 

HOMILY - 

 

As we know, with the reception of the sacraments, there are three sacraments of initiation in the seven sacraments of the Church. The first and foremost is Baptism. Then we've got Confirmation, where the Bishop, representing the whole Universal Church, with the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, alive in the church, confirms and celebrates and strengthens what they received in Baptism.

 

And then, of course, their Initiation is completed by receiving the Body and Blood of Christ at the Table of the Lord in First Holy Communion. The children are then fully initiated into the life of the Church, and by receiving Holy Communion, they, and all of us who receive it, are truly one with Jesus, united with God, united with all of us who are in communion with God. We are truly in communion of heart, mind, soul and body with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and with one another.

 

Jesus unites Himself to us, and us to Him, and draws us into the life of the Trinity, making us in communion with God and one another in the most profound of ways. I always love to tell the First Holy Communion candidates, and I'll be saying it again this weekend, First Holy Communion is a truly very special moment. There's only one thing better than First Holy Communion, and that's Second Holy Communion.

 

And there's only one thing better than Second Holy Communion, and that's Third, and so on and so on throughout our life's journey. This sacrament truly makes the best sense when it's the beginning of a pattern of one's weekly life, and most certainly may it never be thought of as the first and last time one comes to communion at their First Holy Communion, or only occasionally. I truly believe, and the Church truly believes, and the community really believes, that it needs to be not just the first or the rarest of times that one occasionally comes to communion.

 

It is Christ present to us, feeding us, strengthening us, giving us the graces we need, taking away the sins that we've committed, and strengthening us for the life that we're living, which is very difficult and challenging at times. Many, many people at great difficult times of their life have said, and I've said it too, I don't know how we could keep going without our faith, without the strength of Christ and his sacraments. Eucharist is participating in the fullness of our membership as a disciple of Jesus.

 

God knows what we need, and God comes to us with what we need, lovingly, just like a parent gives their child what they need. So God comes to us in a touchable way, in a tangible form, and that is a gift of priceless value that we need to cherish by participating regularly in it, not just for ourselves and our own needs and our family's needs, but also in support and encouragement of others who might be doing it even tougher than us. We all are contributing and receiving and giving in the image of the Trinity.

 

I remember when I was only five or six years old, I remember it like it was yesterday, in church at Canberra. And, by the way, my earliest memories of church was not in a church. In Canberra in the early 70s, they virtually had no churches.

 

There were many, many new areas growing up, and they were so new that we had mass at our local school assembly hall. People would set up the chairs and the table, and the only permanent thing that I could recall is in the Catholic assembly hall, they did have a tabernacle built into the wall at a safe spot so that the sacrament could be reserved. But otherwise, the church gathered literally and transformed into the church by the assembly of the people of God.

 

And that's a very strong memory of the church gathered. It's wonderful to have a church building. It really is a symbol of the abiding permanence of God's presence.

 

But of course, church means God's people gathered by God. And so we had masses in the assembly hall at that time. God was present in the midst of the church, literally the ecclesia, the people of God.

 

I remember as this five or six year old being absolutely in awe and wonder about the mass, and I never want to lose that sense of awe and wonder. Even then, I knew that Jesus came to us in a real way during the mass, and he made his home in our hearts. Though I got a little bit confused about the details of how this happened.

 

I was too young to receive communion, of course, at that age. I somewhat confusedly thought that Jesus was released into our hearts when they opened the tabernacle at communion time. As a child, I thought that Jesus was only in the tabernacle and locked away there.

 

And at communion, they'd go and unlock the doors of the tabernacle and Jesus would fly out and fill our hearts. Well, I didn't quite connect that the host given and the chalice given to the people was Jesus truly present and being food for his people and coming and making a home in their hearts. But when I did understand that, that's even better.

 

That absolutely filled me with greater awe. Jesus being real nourishment. How wonderful is a child's mind and how it works.

 

It's wonderful too that God knows we're physical beings who need touchable ways of connecting to God because we are physical beings who use touch as a way of learning. So it helps us to understand and encounter God who is bigger than what we can see and touch. So our Lord gives us the gift and mystery of his body and blood, real food for our spiritual journey and connecting us to Christ in a very, very real way.

 

We have so much for which to be grateful and it's wonderful that the word Eucharist is the Greek word meaning thanksgiving. The Eucharist is a great prayer of thanksgiving directed to the God who gives us everything and to which everything returns. We give thanks in every mass for our families, our friends, our fellow parishioners who by their lives and example have done what Saint Paul so beautifully says, we hand on to you what we in turn have had handed on to us, the message of Jesus, the gift of Holy Communion and the proclamation of our membership as God's sons and daughters.

 

May the blessings of the body and blood of Christ in this sacrament fill our hearts and lives. May God's presence in the Eucharist fill us up with every grace and virtue and blessing that we need to be faithful and full followers of Christ. May it crowd out any contrary values so there's simply no room for them to reside in our heart but only God's virtues.

 

As we take in the body and blood of Christ, as we take in the word of God which is alive and active, we become more and more the body of Christ. We become more Christ-like in not only our words but even better in our love, in our action, in our practical charity. A real sacrament and sign of God's constant care and presence among us always.

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References:

FR. PAUL W. KELLY

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Vector ID: 619558265 - Eucharist symbols of bread and wine, chalice and host. Modern stained glass window style first communion vector Contributor: Thoom.

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The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi).  Year C  -(Sunday, 22 June 2025)  (EPISODE: 536 )
2. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{May Our Lord's grace and love abide in you}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Ponder with reverence, God's word and sacrament. On this The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi).

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy.

 May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4. "You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:51-52). ). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living Bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
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PREFACE: Preface 1 or 2 of Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Prayer  2
(theme variation: theme 2 )

 

(post version: v2-long)

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{Cheers and thanks, everyone for this time of prayer and reflection - I hope you have a blessed week.}

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visiting here:

https://surfersparadiseparish.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85b9ddd594b242276d423bfe9&id=002282d9e0 

Details relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:

"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia).

Sung "Mass in Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria,  Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

"Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time."  Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

"Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer.

Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software).

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software)

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.)

Text transcription as per the recorded podcast version is transcribed by TurboScribe.ai

{excellent and accurate transcription from voice to text}

[Production -  KER -  2025]
May God bless and keep you.
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