13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parish Family,

This past week we celebrated two liturgical Solemnities – a relatively rare event. Every year on June 24, we celebrate the Birth of John the Baptist; on June 29, Sts. Peter & Paul. These great feasts are related in a juxtaposed kind of way which lends to seeing the full circle of evangelization and discipleship as is found in Christ Jesus.

John the Baptist is one of the few saints whose birth we celebrate. Apart from Jesus’ birth being celebrated at Christmas, the only other person remembered at birth is the Blessed Mother. So why do we celebrate the Birth of John the Baptist? For one, it’s recorded in Sacred Scripture, as we read in Luke 1:57-80. Secondly, like Mary’s own birth (and her Immaculate Conception), John the Baptist exists to point the way to Jesus. He is a bridge between the Old and the New; the hinge of salvation history. He leaps in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth, when Jesus lays concealed in the womb of Our Lady. From the very beginning, he recognizes the Lord and prepares the way for his ministry. In a way, he “pre-evangelizes” the people.

Sts. Peter & Paul, celebrated together in a common feast from ancient times, are remembered, timing-wise, by their death not their birth. Death for the Saints, especially the martyrs, is really a heavenly birthday; that is more what we celebrate with this feast for these pillars of the early Church. Peter and Paul likely did not die at the same time, but certainly within three years or so of each other, and both in Rome. Juxtaposed to John the Baptist again, while we see John “pre-evangilizing,” the mission of Peter and Paul was that of evangelization proper, after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. Peter had a particular mission to the Jews, and Paul to the Gentiles. Together they made many disciples for the Lord.

All three of these men gave their lives for the sake of Christ. All three now are powerful intercessors for us. In fact, in the older version of the confiteor (“I confess to almighty God…”) that we sometimes pray at the beginning of Mass, these three men, along with Our Lady and St. Michael, are asked by name to pray for us for mercy. I think we would do well to return in our private prayer and devotions to asking for the intercession of John the Baptist and Peter & Paul on a regular basis; that we would be men and women who are true disciples who help to prepare the way for Jesus to meet others, and even to be the ones to help reveal him to the world, as they did.

Peace.

-Fr. Kennell