SOLEMNITY OF SS. PETER & PAUL

 peterpaul-ornament

 

 

Invitation to Worship

Our Risen Love,

who called and sent the Apostles,

Come, let us praise and adore.

O Holy One, + open my lips,

~And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

 

Throughout all the Earth their voices carry;

~Their message resounds with hope for all!

 

HYMN FOR SS. PETER & PAUL

O Light of lights, what molten blaze Of purple, red and gold

You pour across the waking sky As this great day unfolds!

A day which heralds two great men Who freely gave their lives

That all might see the love of God Within them as they died.

 

Like comets in the depths of night These two in brightness whirled;

The keeper of the gates of heaven, The teacher of the world

For Peter through his master’s cross And Paul beneath the sword

Have won their way to victory And triumphed with their Lord.

 

This day made regal by their blood Adorns eternal Rome.

Their prayer wins pardon for our sins And mercy from God’s throne.

Give glory, honor, thanks and praise To God the One in Three

Who rules with everlasting might All whom the Cross set free.

 

Text: Aurea Luce et Decore Roseo, tr. Ralph Wright, OSB, alt.;  Tune: SALVATION, CMD, Kentucky Harmony , 1816

 

 

MORNING  PSALMODY

Antiphon

Peter, do you love me?

Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

Feed my sheep.

You, O LOVE, are my shepherd,

There is nothing more I need.

Fresh and green are the pastures,

Where you take me to rest;

Leading  me near calming waters

You renew my drooping spirit.

 

You guide me in the path of goodness,

Always true to your Loving-kindness.

If I walk in the valley of death’s darkness

No evil would I fear

You are there with your shepherd’s staff

To strengthen, guide and give comfort.

 

You spread a feast before me

In the presence of all that I fear,

You soothe my head with oil;

My cup is more than full.

 

Your goodness and love will tend me

All the days of my life.

I will dwell in the Heart of your Love

For ever and ever.

 

Glory to the ONE and to the WORD

and to the BREATH of Love.

As always before

so now and evermore. Amen.

Peter, do you love me?

Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

Feed my sheep.

 

 

READING          I PETER 4: 13-14

Beloved, rejoice in the measure that you share Christ’s sufferings.  When his glory is revealed, you will rejoice exultantly.  Happy are you when you are insulted for the sake of Christ, for then God’s Spirit in glory has come to rest on you.

 

 

Responsory

R.  Throughout all the earth, their voices carry.  V. Their message resounds with hope for all. V.  Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.

 

Gospel Canticle

Antiphon

Today Simon Peter ascended the cross, Alleluia!

Today, the Key-bearer of the kin-dom of heaven went joyously to Christ!

Today the Apostle Paul, the Teacher of the nations, bent his head for the name of Christ

and received the crown of martyrdom, Alleluia!

 

Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,

Who visits this people to set us free

Raising for us a sign of salvation

In the house and family of David.

 

God promised throughout past ages

In words of holy prophets

To save us from our enemies,

And from the control of our oppressors.

 

Adonai favored our ancestors

And remembered the sacred covenant.

The pledge to Abraham and Sarah

Is now renewed for us;

 

That freed from the grip of our foes

We might worship without fear

And be both just and holy

For the rest of our days.

 

And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”

Will go ahead to prepare the way,

By teaching this people of salvation

Through forgiveness of their sins.

 

For the loving compassion of the Holy One

As the Rising Sun will shine upon us

To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow

To guide our feet on the way of peace.

 

Glory to the ONE and to the WORD

And to the BREATH of Love!

As always before,

so now and evermore.  Amen

Today Simon Peter ascended the cross, alleluia!

Today, the Key-bearer of the kin-dom of heaven went joyously to Christ!

Today the Apostle Paul, the Teacher of the nations, bent his head for the name of Christ

and received the crown of martyrdom, alleluia!

 

 Litany of Intercession

You called Simon Peter, the fisherman, to catch human beings with the good news of your love ~call us to bring this same message of hope to all humankind.

 

You calmed the waves so that your disciples would be saved from drowning ~calm the storms created by our own selfishness and greed and the tempests that catch us off guard.

 

You gathered the earliest community around Peter and asked him to feed your sheep
~ O Gentle Shepherd, bring all your people together into one flock where diversity is celebrated and people are fed.

 

You revealed yourself to Paul as “the one being persecuted”
~ help us to recognize you in those who are marginalized or oppressed in any way.

 

You sent Paul as apostle to preach the good news to the Gentiles ~may your word of salvation through love be proclaimed to all humanity and all creation.

 

You strengthened Peter and Paul to bear witness to the truth in the face of bitter persecution ~empower us to bear witness to the reality of your love at all times and in every place.

 

O Jesus, Gentle Shepherd and Living Bread, feed us, guide us to the land of everlasting life.  

 

Prayer of Jesus

Our Father…

 

Closing Prayer

Gracious God of Wisdom and Compassion, you called Peter and Paul to bring the Gospel to the world of their day and to witness to your truth and love with their lives.  Lead us to wisdom through their teaching and example that we may share your compassion with the whole world.  We ask this in the Name of Jesus, who lives and loves with you and the Holy Spirit, One God for ever and ever.  Amen.

 

Blessing

May God bless + us, protect us from all evil, and lead us to freedom and the fullness of life,  ~Amen.

 

Let us bless Adonai.   ~Thanks be to God.