Sermon

28th May 26

There are times when there is little point in preaching as the scripture readings and the liturgy say it so well.  Today’s service blends our normal liturgy with the special (known as the Proper) material for this Feast of St Peter and St Paul.  And it is this Proper material that says, better than I can articulate, what today is all about.  You may find it helpful to follow this in your service booklet.

I want to look at two things: first the Proper Preface, that is the part of the Eucharistic Prayer which you will find on page 10, before the Sanctus and Benedictus:  ‘For by your providence the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul bring us joy: Peter, foremost in confessing the faith, Paul, its outstanding preacher. Peter, who established the early Church from the remnant of Israel, Paul, master and teacher of the Gentiles that you call. And so, each in a different way gathered together the one family of Christ; and revered together throughout the world, they share one Martyr’s crown.’

And, secondly, the blessing on page 14: ‘God has made you steadfast in Saint Peter’s saving confession and through it has set you on the solid rock of the Church’s faith.  And having instructed you by the tireless teaching of St Paul, may God teach you constantly by his example to win brothers and sisters for Christ. So that by the keys of St Peter and the words of St Paul, and by the support of their intercession, God may bring us happily to that homeland that Peter attained on a cross, and Paul by the blade of a sword.’

Amen