Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles (died circa 64-68), martyred in the reign of the emperor Nero: Apostles-link & Wikipedia-link Ss., Apostle-link Simon & Wikipedia-link Simon, & Apostle-link Saul & Wikipedia-link Saul.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth Joyfully Living the Gospel Day by Day:

The feast of the Apostles Peter & Paul reminds us of the prayers & sacrifices of those who have gone before us. The Apostles were outstanding witnesses of Jesus Christ. You are a witness too.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Solemnity of Ss. Peter & Paul
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter twelve, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm Thirty-four, verses two & three, four & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter four, verses six, seven, eight, seventeen, & eighteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verse thirteen thru nineteen.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today we honor Sts. Peter and Paul, the indispensable players, the ones without whom Christianity would never have gotten off the ground. What they held crucially in common was their love for Jesus Christ, a love that brought both of them to their death. They represent two essential archetypes in the life of the Church. Without the creative tension between the two, the Church would not have had the capacity to survive in the course of these two millennia.

Peter is the archetype of order and office. Without leadership based upon a clear confession of faith, the Church would have, long ago, fizzled and fallen apart. Peter represents leadership, integrity, form, and structure.

Paul represents mission, theology, and evangelization, the outward and energetic dimension of the Church’s life. Paul was the first theologian in the tradition, the first to practice the art of faith seeking understanding. Mind you, this speculative, adventurous, theological effort must be disciplined by Peter; otherwise, it would become unruly and self-defeating. And this is why it is altogether fitting and proper that we celebrate these two great saints together.

Bible Study—Vacation Bible School
The Book of Zechariah, chapter nine, verse nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nineteen, verses twenty-eight thru forty.

Commentary: Excerpt from Restoration under the Messiah (Zechariah, 9:9) & the Entry into Jerusalem (Luke, 19:28-40).

'Tis also the festival of Saint Hemma of Gurk, Religious, O.S.B. (circa 980-1045, also spelt Emma): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.