Sts. Peter and Paul

This year, for the first time in many years, we have the opportunity to focus on the feasts of Peter and Paul at a Sunday liturgy. As the two moving forces in the evolution of the early church, Peter and Paul, with all their passion and humanness continue to call us to a love of Jesus and the church and an obsession for evangelization. Good News is to be shared!

The CELEBRATING THE LECTIONARY program provides an Intergenerational Liturgy of the Word for this feast. The following is an outline of the liturgy plan. Adapt to suit your faith community.

PREPARATION

You will need the following materials: cardboard or wooden jail cell with see-through bars, chains, small writing desk or table, chair, feather or quill pen, writing paper, colorful bathrobes, pair of wings, white alb, large rock, oversized keys, a set of keys to the church/hall/school.

ENVIRONMENT

Arrange for the following characters for the readings: for Acts -- Peter and an angel wearing an alb and wings; for Timothy -- Paul; for Matthew -- Jesus, the same Peter that appeared in Acts, and several disciples. Practice the mime at least once before the liturgy. Characters are to come forward just prior to each reading.

Prepare three different areas for the proclamation of the readings: a jail for Peter, a place for Paul to be seated when writing his letter to Timothy, and a clear area for Jesus and his disciples to stand.

Invite a family to work together on a large banner that says WE SHARE GOD'S VISION. Place the banner where it can be seen as families arrive.

On a small table near the altar or ambo place a large rock and the oversized keys. Keep the keys to the parish church, hall, or school in homilist's pocket.

ENTRANCE

A family may carry the banner which says WE SHARE GOD'S VISION in the procession ahead of the altar servers. This banner may be taped to the front of the altar or hung on a wall to the side.

Music: "Song of the Body of Christ," David Haas, GIA Productions (1989), multicultural.

PROCLAMATION

Each reading is proclaimed from the ambo but mimed at different areas of the church visible to the assembly. The character Peter should be the same for both readings in which he appears.

Acts 12:1-11 2 Timothy: 4:17-18 Matthew 16:13-19

SAMPLE HOMILY

Today we find some of our favorite characters from Scripture in the readings. Today we celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

Who was the man in jail?

Who was busy writing a letter to Timothy?

Both of the these events occurred after Jesusþ resurrection. Both men believed that Jesus is the Messiah and wanted to share his message with the whole world. Todays Gospel is an account of a much earlier event when Jesus is curious about who the disciples think he really is.

Why do you think Jesus asked that question?

Who answered it? How?

Jesus is pleased that Peter does knows that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus is so impressed that he gives Peter a prize for having the best answer.

What was that special award?

Yes, Jesus called Peter the rock (point to the rock) on which our church was to be built, and then he gave Peter some very special keys. (Take your keys from your pocket.)

Do any of you have important keys with you today? Take them out and pass them around to each member of your family, talking about what each key is for and why each key is so valuable to you. (Pause, and then hold up one or two of your important keys to the church/ hall/ school.)

Why is it important that we never lose our keys? What happens? (Allow for a few answers.)

If you lose the key to the house or car could you be forgiven? Do you ever misplace your keys at home?

Jesus did not want Peter to lose the keys that he gave him. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. After Jesus' resurrection, we know that Jesus forgave Peter immediately. A voice from heaven forgave Paul, even though he persecuted Christians and tried to prevent the spread of the Gospel. Paul became one of the greatest apostles.

From both Peter and Paul we learn that Jesus always forgives. Jesus tells us that the most important key in life is forgiveness. Let's share one more time with those closest to us. When is it most difficult to forgive someone in the family?

We can share God's vision by our acts of forgiveness. Forgiveness is best modeled in the family. Children see adults forgiving each other, and they learn forgiveness. All of us here today know that we are the church. Peter and Paul passed on their faith to us. We pass our faith on to future generations. Your children's children will continue the faith because we share God's vision today and try to live our faith.

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Include prayers for all those in the church who share God's vision with others, especially those who are models of love, compassion, and forgiveness. It is also important to remember those parts of the world where this vision appears to be blurred, especially in countries where war, division, power struggles, and greed prevail. Include the neophytes who are new images of God's vision for the church.