June 29. Sunday. 13C  Sts 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. In our different leadership crises at any level do we try to reach a consensus, or start a war?  The Reformation in the 1500s originally started over serious differences and since then 1000s of break-away churches started up.  Now, in our day, Christian unity has 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.  Matthew 16:13-19.  Pope Francis:  We Christians are very much aware that if the music of the Gospel ceases to resonate in our very being, we will lose the joy born of compassion, the tender love born of trust, the capacity for reconciliation that has its source in our knowledge that we have been forgiven and sent forth.   Others drink from other sources, for us the wellspring of human dignity and fraternity is in the gospel of Jesus Christ. FT 277. Jubilee:  The Council of Nicaea was a milestone in the Church’s history. The celebration of its anniversary invites Christians to join in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to the Blessed Trinity and in particular to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, “consubstantial with the Father”, who revealed to us that mystery of love. At the same time, Nicaea represents a summons to all Churches and Ecclesial Communities to persevere on the path to visible unity and in the quest of finding ways to respond fully to the prayer of Jesus “that they may all be one. SNC 13. Act and pray. For unity and the needs of families and children as appropriate.