June 29th St Peter and Paul. It’s hard for us with internet and cell phones to imagine how it was 2000 years ago in the very early days of the Church.  Peter had been with Jesus from the beginning, and here was this upstart Paul, who had been persecuting the followers of “the Way,” and was now preaching with such a loud voice what he believed and was inspired to say. It took some time for the two men to meet and discuss their differences and reach an amicable solution. Today, in our different leadership crises at any level do we try to reach a consensus, or start a war?  The Reformation in the 1500s started over a theological  difference and since then 1000s of break-away churches have started up. But Christian unity has now again become an important goal. 

Reflect, share and act.  Scripture. Jesus said,  I tell you, you are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  Mat 16:13-19.  I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.  Gal 1:19-20. Pope Francis: The word of God constantly testifies to that sombre dimension already present at the beginning, when through sin, the relationship of love and purity between man and woman turned into domination. The thread of suffering runs through numerous pages of the Bible beginning with Cain’s murder of his brother Abel.The word of God is not a series of abstract ideas but a source of comfort and companionship for families experiencing difficulties or suffering. AL 19-22