THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK.St. Peter & St. Paul’s Day-Thoughts from Reverend Peter Walker
Sunday 29th of June was observed as Saint Peter and Saint Paul’s Day. These two men were pillars of the Early Church as recounted in the book of Acts.
Saint Paul is remembered for his missionary journeys and the letters he wrote to encourage and teach new Christians, and yet it was he when he had the name Saul who persecuted the church and even consented to the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Damascus encounter with Jesus changed his life. So too, Peter who had denied even knowing Jesus when challenged, went on to preach the first Christian sermon at Pentecost when the first disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Ridiculing him, some accused the disciples of being drunk -for each visitor to Jerusalem heard them speak in their own language. ‘These men are not drunk, for it is only nine in the morning’. Three thousand were saved that day! Peter fills the first twelve chapters of Acts and also, like Paul, wrote letters to the early church.
Peter-tide is often observed as a day for the Ordination of Deacons and Priests. Many Cathedrals will be ordaining new clergy at this time of the year. The one thing that this day reminds us of is that it was through encounters with Jesus that men and women were changed. This is still true today.
Very few can encounter Jesus and not be changed. Think of all the millions of people down the centuries who have a complete change by encountering Jesus. Jesus means change. Thank God for Peter and Paul and for their faithfulness in spreading the news of Jesus!
© Reverend Peter Walker 2025.
|
