ST. PETER

Our Blessed Lord, in order to extend the Church which He had founded, chose twelve Apostles whom He commissioned to preach the Gospel throughout the world. In sending them forth Jesus conferred special powers on each of them. But over and above these, He gave to St. Peter a particular authority and dignity. He selected him as the Rock on which He would build His Church; to him He would deliver the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and He appointed him the visible head of His Church. In the following extract, we will see what St. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles has to say about St. Peter, the first visible head of the Church.

I

When the days of Pentecost were accomplished, the apostles were all together, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting, and there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat on every one of them and they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.

At this time there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

When the above miracle was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because every man heard the apostles speak

in his own tongue. And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying: "Behold, are not all these that speak, Galileans?"

But others, mocking, said, "These men are full of sweet wine."

Then Peter, lifting up his voice, spoke to them: "Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you that these men are not drunk, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is the fulfillment of that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass, in the last days (saith the Lord), I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And upon My servants, indeed, and upon My handmaids, will I pour out in those days of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and manifest day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord, shall be saved.'”

Peter continued: "Ye men of Israel, hear these words: 'Jesus of Nazareth (a man approved of God among you, by miracles, wonders, and signs, which

God did by Him, in the midst of you, as you also know), being delivered up to you, has been crucified and slain.""

Now when the Jews had heard these things, they had compunction in their heart, and said to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles: "What shall we do, men and brethren?”

But Peter said to them: "Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call."

And with very many other words did he testify and exhort them, saying: "Save yourselves from this perverse generation."

They therefore that received his word, were baptized; and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

On another occasion, when Peter and John went up into the temple at the ninth hour of prayer, a certain man, who was lame from his birth, was brought to the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, that he might ask alms.

When he had seen Peter and John the temple, he asked for assistance. fastening their eyes upon him, said:

about to go into But the apostles, "Look upon us,"

He looked earnestly upon them, hoping that he should receive something from them.

Peter said: "Silver and gold, I have none, but what I have, I give thee: in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise, and walk."

Then taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up, and forthwith his soles and feet received strength. And he leaping up, stood, walked, and went in with them into the temple, praising God.

All the people saw him; and they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.

On seeing Peter and John, the people ran to them to the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. Then Peter spoke to them: "Ye men of Israel, why wonder you at this? Or why look you upon us, as if by our strength or power we have made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son, Jesus, Whom you indeed delivered and denied before the face of Pilate, when he judged He should be released. You denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted to you. But the Author of life Whom you have killed, God hath raised from the dead.

"Now, brethren, I know that you did it through

ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which God before had showed by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled. Be penitent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."

While the apostles were speaking, the priests, the officer of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, they laid hands upon them, and put them in prison till the next day; for it was now evening.

But many of the people who had heard the word, believed; and the number of converts was five thousand.

It came to pass on the morrow, that their princes, ancients, and scribes, were gathered together in Jerusalem.

Annas, the high-priest, Caiphas,1 John, Alexander, and many who were of the kindred of the high-priest, asked the apostles: "By what power, or by what Name, have you done this?"

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them: "Ye princes of the people, and ancients, hear. If we this day are examined concerning the good done to the infirm man, by what means he hath been made whole; be it known to you all, and to all the people

1 Sometimes spelled Caiaphas.