INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
With admirable economy, today’s preface hails Peter for his confession of faith and foundation of the church, and Paul for his preaching and mission to the gentiles. These nicely distilled tributes disguise a more complex reality.
After Peter’s faith proves fragile, Jesus elects to forgive his denials and to recommission him. It’s Peter, not Paul, who first grasps that the Good News is for all (Acts 10:34-35). In time the two argued, Paul accusing Peter of hypocrisy for compromising on the issue of circumcision (Gal 2:14).
Yet Paul, missionary to gentiles, remained bonded to his fellow Jews, grieving at their unbelief, while re-affirming them as God’s chosen (Roms 9-11). For these two great pioneers of faith and mission, we praise and thank God today.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for all baptised believers, that by lives of joyful faith and generous love they will draw many to the gospel of Jesus.
SAMPLE INTERCESSIONS
These intercessions are offered for selected use at Sunday Mass in the parish alongside those that express local needs and concerns.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, united in the faith handed on to us by the great apostles Peter and Paul, let us pray devoutly for our needy sisters and brothers around the world.
READER
We pray for world leaders, that they will use the power at their disposal to bring deadly wars to an end and work together for the safety and wellbeing of the whole human family. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for Pope Leo and all bishops and missionaries, that in the spirit of Saints Peter and Paul they will firmly proclaim Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for Christians holding fast to their faith in places of opposition, threat and violence, that they will draw strength from the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for prisoners of conscience, that they will maintain the courage of their convictions and not waver in their hope of release and vindication. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for young people in this Jubilee Year of Hope, that in solidarity they will encourage each other to live justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for ourselves as beneficiaries of Australia’s blessings, that we will have the freedom to change to ensure those blessings are fairly shared across the whole community. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all who are struggling with mental health conditions, that they will receive the support and accompaniment they need to lead fulfilling lives. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray in thanks for gardeners of every kind, that their love of nature will bring joy to many and inspire us to care for earth’s gifts. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for those who have died recently . . ., and those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will receive the crown of righteousness in the courts of heaven. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
Saving God, you raised up the apostles Peter and Paul to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. Set our hearts ablaze with the fire of your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.