St. Peter was in prison, perhaps a day away from death. God sent an angel to miraculously rescue Peter (Acts 12:7ff). St. Paul likewise faced imminent death, but the Lord rescued him from the lion's jaws, perhaps literally (2 Tm 4:17). The early Christians were frequently martyred by being thrown to hungry lions.
On these above occasions, the Lord rescued Sts. Peter and Paul from death. However, both of them were eventually martyred for their faith, proving their sincere devotion to the Lord Jesus, witnessing to Him with their very lives. Peter and Paul represent the universal Church which testifies to the entire world, Jew and Gentile, about the victory of Jesus Christ, Head of the Church (Col 1:18). They trusted God with their lives and bore enduring fruit for the glory of God (Jn 15:8, 16).
Are you afraid to "proclaim the Kingdom of God"? (Lk 9:60)Are you afraid to be a fisher of men and women? (Lk 5:10) Take courage from the example of these two great saints. Boldly witness to Jesus Christ and lay down your life for the glory of God and the furthering of His Kingdom.
| PRAYER: | "I wish to know Christ and the power flowing from His resurrection; likewise to know how to share in His sufferings by being formed into the pattern of His death" (Phil 3:10). |
| PROMISE: | "I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." –Mt 16:19 |
| PRAISE: | "He Who worked through Peter as His apostle among the Jews had been at work in me for the Gentiles" (Gal 2:8). Father, thank You for the unique ministries of Sts. Peter & Paul. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College