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Thursday, 21 February 2013

St. Peter the Rock of Christ Church


John 1:42
You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” 
[Cephas in Hebrew is Peter (Petros). Petros in Greek which literally converted means Rock.]


Christ confers authority onto Peter to guide and care for His Church on earth in John 21.


John 21:15-17

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.



Peter is told about his special authoritative role in the Church founded by Christ in  Matthew 16.

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.


Peter's primacy is evident from the Ho;y Scriptures as his name is always appears first in the lists of the Apostles.
Peter became the first Supreme Vicar (Pope) of Christ early church. 



Prayer to Saint Peter

O Holy Apostle, 
because you are the Rock 
upon which Almighty God 
has built His Church, 
obtain for me I pray you: 
lively faith, firm hope, and burning love, 
complete detachment from myself, 
contempt of the world, 
patience in adversity, 
humility in prosperity, 
recollection in prayer, 
purity of heart, 
a right intention in all my works, 
diligence in fulfilling the duties 
of my state of life, 
constancy in my resolutions, 
resignation to the will of God 
and perseverance in the grace 
of God even unto death; 
that so, by means of your intercession 
and your glorious merits, 
I may be made worthy to appear 
before the Chief and Eternal 
Shepherd of Souls, Jesus Christ, 
Who with the Father 
and the Holy Spirit, 
lives and reigns forever. 

AMEN.




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