Posted on 06/29/2004 7:25:04 AM PDT by Salvation
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Thank you, lightman!
| ST. PETER THE APOSTLE Question from TOM WALKER on 05-05-2004: |
| WHEN AND HOW DID ST. PETER DIE AND WHERE IS IT DOCUMENTED IN THE BIBLE. THANK YOU TOM WALKER |
| Answer by Matthew Bunson on 05-05-2004: |
| It is difficult to know with absolutely certainty the dates of St. Peter’s pontificate, although there is no question that he made the decision to remain as Bishop of Rome until his death. Needless to say, it is thus equally difficult to know the exact day and month. St. Paul mentions Peter’s visit to Antioch (Gal 2:11-21), and it is clear that Peter did not remain in the city. Rather, having completed his work, he continued on to the next community to which he preached the Gospel. He may have visited Corinth, on the basis of a reference by Paul of a party of Cephas in that city's Christian community (1 Cor 1:12). There is a long and accepted tradition connecting Peter with Rome. The saint himself makes apparent reference to being in the Eternal City in his first Epistle (5:13) by noting that he writes from Babylon, a common metaphor for Rome. St. Paul makes note of an Apostle in Rome before himself in Romans (15:20). It is known with certainty that Peter died in Rome and that his martyrdom came during the reign of Emperor Nero, probably around 64 or 67, but the exact date is hard to determine. He was most likely crucified – tradition states upside down as he had proclaimed himself unworthy to die as Jesus. The testimony of the writers of the early Church is quite extensive, including Origen (who, as told in Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History, reported that Peter was crucified upside down), Eusebius of Caesarea (who writes of Peter's pontificate as lasting some twenty-five years), St. Clement I of Rome, St. Ignatius, and St. Irenaeus. The latter, in his Adversus haereses (Against Heresies), is clear in stating that Peter founded the Church in Rome and what is Christian belief is that which is accepted by the Church in Rome, begun by Peter and Paul. Thus, his pontificate lasted from the time that the diocese of Rome was established to his execution on Vatican Hill under Nero. He was then succeeded by St. Linus, whom he had named to follow him as leader of the Christians in Rome. Peter's feast day is June 29, with St. Paul. |
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Lord our God,
encourage us through the prayers of Saints Peter and Paul.
May the apostles who strengthened the faith of the infant Church
help us on our way of salvation.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Thank you cobol!
**Excellent information here, Salvation.**
Yes, this site used to be called PetersNet -- really up to snuff when it comes to finding authentic articles.
June 29, 2005
 Sts. Peter and Paul
(d. 64 & 67)
Peter: St. Mark ends the first half of his Gospel with a triumphant climax. He has recorded doubt, misunderstanding and the opposition of many to Jesus. Now Peter makes his great confession of faith: "You are the Messiah" (Mark 8:29b). It was one of the many glorious moments in Peter's life, beginning with the day he was called from his nets along the Sea of Galilee to become a fisher of men for Jesus. The New Testament clearly shows Peter as the leader of the apostles, chosen by Jesus to have a special relationship with him. With James and John he was privileged to witness the Transfiguration, the raising of a dead child to life and the agony in Gethsemane. His mother-in-law was cured by Jesus. He was sent with John to prepare for the last Passover before Jesus' death. His name is first on every list of apostles. And to Peter only did Jesus say, "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 nether world shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:17b-19). But the Gospels prove their own veracity by the unflattering details they include about Peter. He clearly had no public relations person. It is a great comfort for ordinary mortals to know that Peter also has his human weakness, even in the presence of Jesus. He generously gave up all things, yet he can ask in childish self-regard, "What are we going to get for all this?" (see Matthew 19:27). He receives the full force of Christ's anger when he objects to the idea of a suffering Messiah: "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do" (Matthew 16:23b). Peter is willing to accept Jesus' doctrine of forgiveness, but suggests a limit of seven times. He walks on the water in faith, but sinks in doubt. He refuses to let Jesus wash his feet, then wants his whole body cleansed. He swears at the Last Supper that he will never deny Jesus, and then swears to a servant maid that he has never known the man. He loyally resists the first attempt to arrest Jesus by cutting off Malchus's ear, but in the end he runs away with the others. In the depth of his sorrow, Jesus looks on him and forgives him, and he goes out and sheds bitter tears. Paul's central conviction was simple and absolute: Only God can save humanity. No human effort—even the most scrupulous observance of law—can create a human good which we can bring to God as reparation for sin and payment for grace. To be saved from itself, from sin, from the devil and from death, humanity must open itself completely to the saving power of Jesus. Paul never lost his love for his Jewish family, though he carried on a lifelong debate with them about the uselessness of the Law without Christ. He reminded the Gentiles that they were grafted on the parent stock of the Jews, who were still God's chosen people, the children of the promise. In light of his preaching and teaching skills, Paul's name has surfaced (among others) as a possible patron of the Internet.
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Bump for Saints Peter and Paul.
Most beautiful religious artwork. Thanks for posting.
BTTT on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, 2006!
Thanks offered up to the Lord for prayers answered.
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