Today’s Readings – Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Commentary on Acts 12:1-11 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18 Matthew 16:13-19

On this day we celebrate a special feast of the Church, symbolised by the two great apostles, Peter and Paul. They were the two men around whom the mission of Jesus to establish the Kingdom was centred and from whom it grew and spread to every corner of the world. As the preface for today’s Mass puts it: “Peter raised up the church from the faithful flock of Israel. Paul brought your call to the nations, and became the teacher of the world. Each in his chosen way gathered into unity the one family of Christ. Both shared a martyr’s death and are praised throughout the world.” Each one represents two very distinct roles of the Church in its mission to the world.

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Yesterday’s Readings – Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

St Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial)

Information on the life of Irenaeus is sparse and what is known may be inexact.

Irenaeus was born in Proconsular Asia or in one of the bordering provinces in the first half of the 2nd century and so about 100 years after the death of Chris … Continue