June 29: The Day of the Lord / El Día del Señor

Although we have officially returned to the Ordinary Time of the Church’s year, the red vestments and banners that fill the church this weekend tell a different story. They are a clear sign that there is nothing “ordinary” about this day. We celebrate, each 29^th of June, the Feast of the Apostles and Martyrs Sts. Peter and Paul. Red is the “liturgical color” of the Holy Spirit and the Church’s martyrs (Pentecost, Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, and the martyrs’ witness to that sacrifice).

While the use of colors in worship may seem like a minor detail, it actually plays a significant role in helping us to engage with the liturgy. Colors can help to set the tone of a service and create an atmosphere that is conducive to prayer and reflection. They also serve as visual reminders of important aspects of our faith. For example, green is used throughout Ordinary time of the year to symbolize growth and new life.

In addition to their symbolic meaning, colors can also be used to create a sense of unity within the congregation. For instance, they can help to create a feeling of solidarity and community. Ultimately, though, the use of colors in worship is about more than just “aesthetics.” It’s about creating an environment that is conducive to prayer and reflection, and that helps us to connect with the deeper meaning of our faith.

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One element of that faith, which always deserves our attention, is Jesus’ warning that His disciples will pay a price for their faithfulness to Him. This has been true not just for St. Peter, St. Paul, and their companions. Everyone who takes seriously their “discipleship” will eventually suffer for what they say and do – if it identifies them with Jesus.

So, we might wonder: if we have never experienced any challenge or if we have never suffered at all for our faith, is that because our identity as His disciples  is not so clear to others or so obvious to those we encounter? Might we want to do something about that?

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Esta solemnidad de los Santos Pedro y Pablo nos invita a contemplar el misterio de la Iglesia edificada sobre el testimonio de los Apóstoles, especialmente ellos dos, columnas fundamentales del cristianismo.

San Pedro representa la fe confesante y la unidad visible de la Iglesia. Su confesión de fe no es fruto del análisis humano, sino de la revelación divina. Jesús ve en él a “la piedra firme” sobre la cual edificará su Iglesia.

San Pablo representa la misión universal, el anuncio incansable del Evangelio hasta los confines del mundo. Aun en medio de persecuciones y pruebas, su confianza no flaquea: “El Señor me ha dado fuerzas…”

Ambos son testigos del amor hasta el extremo. San Pedro muere crucificado y San Pablo decapitado. Dos caminos diferentes, un mismo Señor, una misma fidelidad.

Oremos. “Señor Jesús, tú que llamaste a San Pedro para ser roca firme y a San Pablo para ser Apóstol de las naciones, renueva en nosotros la pasión por tu Iglesia y el ardor por tu Evangelio. Danos una fe sólida, como la de San Pedro, que te reconozcamos como el Mesías y te sigamos con valentía. Danos un corazón misionero, como el de San Pablo, para que confiemos en tu gracia y tu poder, no importan las dificultades.