Their message goes out to all the earth.— Psalm 19:5

Mass readings: Vigil: Acts 3:1-10 / Galatians 1:11-20 / John 21:15-19; Day: Acts 12:1-11 / 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18 / Matthew 16:13-19 

The Greatest Miracle? 

Name a miracle in the New Testament. Water to wine at Cana? The feeding of the five thousand? Today’s feast of St. Peter and St. Paul points to perhaps the greatest wonder of all: the success of the Catholic Church. Somehow, the efforts of a fisherman and a tentmaker and a few believers like them resulted, one convert at a time, in an institution and a faith embraced today by more than a billion people.  

Neither Peter nor Paul would take the credit. Both apostles always understood and preached the source of their strength. So as we celebrate these two heroic missionaries, both saints would remind us that it’s also a time to marvel at the way God has shepherded His Church, and to pray for His continued loving providence.

Prayer: Dear God, continue to watch over and strengthen Your body, the Church.