The faith of St. Peter and St. Paul

	Word to Life  By Jeff Hensley

I was studying journalism and writing stories for the campus daily when I heard about Ron Chafetz. Ron was a messianic Jew. When I met him, I knew two things: There was a special anointing on him for bringing others to a knowledge of who Jesus is and that he would make a great story.

It took some time to arrange an interview, and then he was very late for our meeting because on the way he'd gotten involved telling someone the Gospel story. Once he was in the newspaper office, there were more interruptions. Each time I introduced him to someone, a lively discussion of Christianity ensued.

June 29, 2008 SS. Peter and Paul Acts 12:1-11 Psalm 34:2-9 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 Matthew 16:13-19

This came effortlessly on Ron's part. His enthusiasm was not the sort that alienated people, but intrigued them. For instance, a photographer he shared with had always seemed distant and sophisticated in a cool sort of way, but not with Ron.

The Scriptures this week point us to the lively, dedicated, lifelong commitments to Jesus and his message in the saints Peter and Paul, apostles and Jews with a very special anointing for evangelism. Acts offers the account of Peter's rescue from prison by an angel and his being reunited with his brothers and sisters who are praying for his safety, even as he enters the house where they are gathered. What joy they must have known when they were miraculously reunited, their prayers answered.

And Paul's great statement about his time drawing near is in the 2 Timothy passage: "I have competed well; I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me."

The support of their fellow believers, the joy and the pain of their work in telling people who Jesus is and why he came, stem from how they answered the question that Jesus asks of his disciples in the Matthew passage: "But who do you say that I am?"

"You are the Christ," Simon Peter answered, "the Son of the living God!"

	For reflection: • Have you known anyone who was specially gifted to share the story of Jesus with others? • What can you do to share the love of Jesus with others, either by word or deed?

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."

This column is offered in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.

Prayer to St. Raphael Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners. We beg you, assist us in all our needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God" we humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of our souls and the ills that afflict our bodies. We especially ask your guidance of our diocese as we journey toward the rebuilding of a cathedral bearing your name, and the great grace of purity to prepare us to be temples of the Holy Spirit. As our intercessor, beg the Blessed Trinity to prosper the work of our hands and, above all, to bring us, face-to-face, into their Holy presence. Amen.