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The Feast of St Peter and St Paul

A live Mass from St David鈥檚 Metropolitan Cathedral in Cardiff, marking the feast of Ss Peter and Paul, led by the Dean Canon Peter Collins. The preacher is Archbishop George Stack.

The feast day of St Peter and St Paul is marked by a live Mass from St David鈥檚 Metropolitan Cathedral in Cardiff. These two very different saints 鈥 one the rough and ready fisherman, the other the polished scholar 鈥 didn鈥檛 always see eye to eye, experiencing some significant disagreements. They managed nevertheless to be united in faith: theirs is a relationship we might learn much from today. Archbishop George Stack gives the homily; mass settings are by the cathedral鈥檚 Director of Music, Jeff Howard, and the service is led by the Dean, Canon Peter Collins.

38 minutes

Last on

Sun 30 Jun 2019 08:10

Script:

Please not this script cannot exactly reflect the transmission, as it was prepared before the service was broadcast. It may include editorial notes prepared by the producer, and minor spelling and other errors that were corrected before the radio broadcast.It may contain gaps to be filled in at the time so that prayers may reflect the needs of the world, and changes may also be made at the last minute for timing reasons, or to reflect current events
Announcement from continuity:鈥溾χ鞑ゴ笮 Radio 4.聽 The Archbishop of Cardiff, the Most Rev鈥檇 George Stack preaches live from St David鈥檚 Metropolitan Cathedral in Cardiff now for this week鈥檚 Sunday Worship. The service is led by the Dean, Canon Peter Collins, and begins with the hymn, 鈥楲ord, who in thy perfect wisdom,鈥 sung to the Welsh tune Blaenwern鈥
ITEM 1: Hymn 1:聽 Lord, who in Thy perfect wisdom Melody: BlaenwernMusic: William RowlandsText: Timothy Rees
ITEM 2: Welcome (Dean)In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen
The Lord be with you.And with your spirit.
Welcome to Cardiff Cathedral, dedicated to St.David of Wales. You join us for the celebration of Mass on the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul. We could compare and contrast them and highlight their individual strengths and weaknesses, however, the true focus should be how they worked through their differences and disagreements so as to serve the Risen Lord in the full communion of faith.聽
Journeying far and wide, their understanding of the mission matured and the conduct of their ministry evolved. They had to learn how to work together, one becoming the Apostle to the Hebrews and the other the Apostle to the Gentiles. Their example and teaching continues to inspire and guide the Church in our own age. Though their missionary journeys diverged, they shared the same pilgrimage of faith.聽
Both eventually made their way to Rome there to offer the final witness of martyrdom. Seeking nourishment for our own pilgrimage, we open our hearts afresh to the grace of God's mercy as we prepare to celebrate the mysteries of our apostolic faith.
ITEM 3: Penitential Act part 1 (Dean)Brethren, let us acknowledge our sins,and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
ITEM 4: Kyrie Music: Jeff Howard
ITEM 5: Penitential Act part 2 (Dean)May almighty God have mercy on us,forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
ALL:Amen.
ITEM 6: Gloria (spoken: Dean)
ITEM 7: Opening Prayer (Dean)Let us pray.
O God, who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paulgive us the noble and holy joy of this day,grant, we pray, that your Churchmay in all things follow the teachingof those through whom she receivedthe beginnings of right religion.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.
ALL: Amen
ITEM 8: Reading 1 Acts 12:6-11 (Trudy McBride)聽A reading from the book of Acts.
On the night before Herod was to try him, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with double chains, while guards kept watch at the main entrance to the prison. Then suddenly the angel of the Lord stood there, and the cell was filled with light. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him. 鈥楪et up!鈥 he said 鈥楬urry!鈥 鈥 and the chains fell from his hands. The angel then said, 鈥楶ut on your belt and sandals.鈥 After he had done this, the angel next said, 鈥榃rap your cloak round you and follow me.鈥 Peter followed him, but had no idea that what the angel did was all happening in reality; he thought he was seeing a vision.聽
They passed through two guard posts one after the other, and reached the iron gate leading to the city. This opened of its own accord; they went through it and had walked the whole length of one street when suddenly the angel left him. It was only then that Peter came to himself. 鈥楴ow I know it is all true鈥 he said. 鈥楾he Lord really did send his angel and has saved me from Herod.鈥
The word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
ITEM 9: Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33(34), 2-9: I will bless the Lord at all times聽Music: Jeff Howard


ITEM 10: Reading 2: 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18 (Karen Prior)
A reading from Paul鈥檚 second letter to Timothy.
My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.
The Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion鈥檚 mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
ITEM 11: Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia!You are Peter, the rock on which I will build my Church;The gates of hell will not hold out against itAlleluia!
Music: Jeff Howard
ITEM 12: Reading 3: Matthew 16:13-19聽
The Lord be with you.ALL: And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.ALL: Glory to you, O Lord.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, 鈥榃ho do people say the Son of Man is?鈥 And they said, 鈥楽ome say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.鈥 鈥楤ut you,鈥 he said 鈥榳ho do you say I am?鈥 Then Simon Peter spoke up, 鈥榊ou are the Christ,鈥 he said 鈥榯he Son of the living God.鈥 Jesus replied, 鈥楽imon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.鈥
The Gospel of the Lord.
ALL: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
ITEM 13: Homily (Archbishop)
One of the main aims of the countless thousands of people who make a pilgrimage to Rome each year is to visit the five great basilicas of the Eternal City. The two most important, of course, are St. Peter鈥檚 in the Vatican and that of St. Paul outside the walls of that ancient city.
A very moving experience when exploring St Peters is to go down the steps beneath the high altar. Archaeologists have excavated a whole Roman necropolis which lies underneath, where in a niche they discovered an inscription saying, 鈥淧eter is near鈥. The carefully wrapped bones found there have been scientifically analysed and for Catholics this has confirmed the tradition and devotion that here is, indeed, the burial place of the first apostle.聽
Meanwhile excavations at St. Paul鈥檚 outside the walls also confirmed in 2005 what we have believed for centuries: this is the burial place of the apostle of the Gentiles. The ancient graffiti there reads simply: 鈥淧aul, Apostle, Martyr鈥.
So just who were these two men, now buried in different parts of Rome?
An ancient Roman hymn celebrating the martyrdom proclaims:
One by the sword achieved, one by the cross his fate;With laurelled brows they hold eternal royalty.
Traditional iconography and even prayers always portray Peter and Paul almost in the same breath. It鈥檚 easy enough to see why when we consider only their long-buried relics. But in life, these were two very different people, with completely different personalities, who came to faith in Jesus by very different paths.
Peter, the blunt, impetuous fisherman who jumps into the water to follow Jesus. Paul the sophisticated and educated Pharisee who sets out to persecute the followers of Jesus until his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.
It is little wonder that these two apostles had different outlooks on life and faith, and the understanding of the gospel of Jesus. Not surprising either that they sometimes had conflicting views on how that gospel should be preached and how to go about conducting their mission.聽
These differences sometimes descended into arguments and disagreements, as we read in St. Paul鈥檚 letter to the Christians in Galatia, modern day Turkey:聽
鈥淏ut when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party鈥. (Galatians 2:11)
The tension lay between the Jewish converts to Christianity and the Gentile Christians to whom Paul was preaching. Was it necessary to go through the Jewish ritual of circumcision in order to be true followers of Jesus?
In the same way today, we might become upset, distressed, and even scandalised by tensions and division within the Church or in our world.聽 We might experience alienation and disillusionment.
聽And in our disagreement, it鈥檚 sometimes all too easy to be open to the accusation of hypocrisy 鈥 that鈥檚 just what Paul had accused Peter of during their argument.
How to resolve this tension?聽 After much discussion, Peter and Paul found a solution which was inspired both by faith and pragmatism.聽 It was agreed not just that circumcision wouldn鈥檛 be made a requirement but also that 鈥..we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.鈥澛 There was an affirmation of the ministry of both apostles.聽 Both were needed, but both also needed to give the other space. Complementarity does not necessarily mean contradiction.
These two apostles were able to manage their differences in life, reflecting on the unity of their shared redemption in Christ. But they became fully united in death, giving their lives for the truth of the gospel, becoming martyrs. That word 鈥渕artyr鈥 means simply 鈥渨itness鈥. It is in giving witness to Christ in their different ways that Peter and Paul offered their lives.聽
In our own times, we may not be called to die for the faith in these dramatic ways, but we are called to follow the example of Peter and Paul and live for the faith by giving witness in word and action to the depth and meaning and purpose of the life of each human person. That includes rooting out the scandal of abuse wherever it鈥檚 found, including in the church.
One of the most poignant monuments in Westminster Abbey is the tomb of two Queens, Elizabeth and Mary. In their lives they offered very different visions of what it meant to follow God, and there was an enmity between them. But the inscription on the tomb reads:
Partners we in throne and grace,
Here we sleep, Elizabeth and Mary,
Sisters in the hope of the Resurrection.
On this great feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, I like to think of both of these apostles and martyrs by using the same words: Here we sleep, brothers in the hope of the Resurrection.Whatever the tensions and divisions we face in society at large and even in the Church, Peter and Paul can still teach us that disagreements need not be destructive.聽聽
The 鈥淗oly pragmatism鈥 of the apostles enabled them to teach the gospel to people of different cultures and circumstances.聽 May we learn that lesson in our own time and circumstances, remembering our equality in the face of eternity.
ITEM 14: The Prayer of the Faithful (Dean + Hilary Coulson)DEAN:Obedient to Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we offer our prayers of intercession to our Heavenly Father.
HILARY:For all the peoples of the World:In recognition of our shared humanity before God, may we be eager to listen to the wisdom of others and be willing to explore horizons of truth.Lord, hear us.
ALL:Lord, graciously hear us.
HILARY:For the unity of Christ's Church:Rooted in Apostolic Tradition and alert to the promptings of the Spirit in our own age, may we be courageous in bearing witness to the Gospel and generous in our service to all our brothers and sisters who stand in need of our care and support.Lord, hear us.
ALL:Lord, graciously hear us.
HILARY:For cooperation between nations in addressing the causes of conflict, environmental exploitation and all structural injustice:Conscious that solutions can be found only by addressing these issues on a global scale, may we contribute to the momentum for change by each one of us being prepared to bear the burden of sacrifice.Lord, hear us.
ALL:Lord, graciously hear us.
HILARY: Topical prayer
Lord, hear us.
ALL:Lord, graciously hear us.
HILARY:We invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church.
ALL:Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
DEAN:Heavenly Father, the Apostles Peter and Paul continue to inspire the Church in the ways of holiness and service. Keep us faithful to our apostolic inheritance and confident in our engagement with the world you have created. We ask this in the name of your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ITEM 15: Offertory Anthem
Tu es Petrus聽 Music: Jeff Howard
ITEM 16: The Liturgy of the Eucharist (Dean)Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,for through your goodness we have receivedthe bread we offer you:fruit of the earth and work of human hands,it will become for us the bread of life.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,for through your goodness we have receivedthe wine we offer you:fruit of the vine and work of human hands,it will become our spiritual drink.
DEAN:Pray, brethren,that my sacrifice and yoursmay be acceptable to God,the almighty Father.
ALL:May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your handsfor the praise and glory of his name,for our goodand the good of all his holy Church.
DEAN:May the prayer of the Apostles, O Lord,accompany the sacrificial giftthat we present to your name for consecration,and may their intercession make us devoted to youin celebration of the sacrifice.Through Christ our Lord.
ALL: Amen
ITEM 17: The Eucharistic Prayer, Part 1 (Dean)DEAN (Sung): The Lord be with you.聽ALL: And with your spirit.DEAN (Sung): Lift up your hearts.ALL: We lift them up to the Lord.DEAN (Sung): Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.聽ALL: It is right and just.
DEAN (Sung):聽It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,always and everywhere to give you thanks,Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
For by your providencethe 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 waygathered together the one family of Christ;and revered together throughout the world,they share one Martyr鈥檚 crown.
And therefore, with all the Angels and Saints,we praise you, as without end we acclaim:
ITEM 18: Sanctus Music: Jeff Howard
ITEM 19: The Eucharistic Prayer, Part 2 (Dean)You are indeed Holy, O Lord,the fount of all holiness.Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall,so that they may become for usthe Body and 鉁 Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
At the time he was betrayedand entered willingly into his Passion,he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,FOR THIS IS MY BODY,WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
In a similar way, when supper was ended,he took the chaliceand, once more giving thanks,he gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANYFOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
SUNGThe mystery of faith.
CHOIRWe proclaim your Death, O Lord,and profess your Resurrectionuntil you come again.SPOKENTherefore, as we celebratethe memorial of his Death and Resurrection,we offer you, Lord,the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation,giving thanks that you have held us worthyto be in your presence and minister to you.
Humbly we praythat, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Remember, Lord, your Church,spread throughout the world,and bring her to the fullness of charity,together with Francis our Pope and me your unworthy servant.and all the clergy.
Remember also our brothers and sisterswho have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,and all who have died in your mercy:welcome them into the light of your face.Have mercy on us all, we pray,that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,with the blessed Apostles,and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages,we may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life,and may praise and glorify youthrough your Son, Jesus Christ.

Through him, and with him, and in him,O God, almighty Father,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,all glory and honour is yours,for ever and ever.
础尝尝:听础尘别苍.听
ITEM 20: The Communion Rite (Dean)At the Saviour鈥檚 commandand formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
ALL:Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come,thy will be doneon earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.
DEAN:Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,graciously grant peace in our days,that, by the help of your mercy,we may be always free from sinand safe from all distress,as we await the blessed hopeand the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
ALL:聽For the kingdom,the power and the glory are yoursnow and for ever.
DEAN:Lord Jesus Christ,who said to your Apostles:Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,look not on our sins,but on the faith of your Church,and graciously grant her peace and unityin accordance with your will.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
ALL: Amen.
DEAN:The peace of the Lord be with you alwaysALLAnd with your spiritDEACONLet us offer each other the sign of peace

ITEM 21: Breaking of the Bread (DURING AGNUS DEI)

ITEM 22: Agnus Dei Music: Jeff Howard

ITEM 23: Invitation to Communion (Dean)Behold the Lamb of God,behold him who takes away the sins of the world.Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
ALL:聽Lord, I am not worthythat you should enter under my roof,but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD DURING ANTHEMITEM 24: Communion Anthem Ave VeruMusic: Byrd
ITEM 25: Prayer after Communion (Dean)Let us pray.Grant us, O Lord,who have been renewed by this Sacrament,so to live in the Church,that, persevering in the breaking of the Breadand in the teaching of the Apostles,we may be one heart and one soul,made steadfast in your love.Through Christ our Lord.
ALL: Amen.
ITEM 26: Hymn 2: For the saints who from their labours rest
ITEM 27: Blessing (Archbishop)
BLESSING OPTION 1
Archbishop: The Lord be with you.All: And with your spirit.Archbishop: May almighty God bless you,the Father, and the Son, 鉁 and the Holy Spirit.All: Amen.
Archbishop: Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.All: Thanks be to God.

BLESSING OPTION 2May almighty God bless you, for he has made you steadfast in St Peter鈥檚 saving confession and through it has set you on the solid rock of the church鈥檚 faith.聽 Amen.聽
And having instructed you by the tireless preaching of St Paul, may God teach you constantly by his example to win brothers and sisters for Christ. Amen.
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.聽Amen.
And may the blessing of Almighty God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit come down on you and remain with you for ever.

3. May God, the source and origin of all blessing,Grant you grace,Pour out his blessing in abundanceAnd always keep you in the palm of his hand.Amen.
4. May he give you integrity in faith,Endurance in hopeAnd perseverance in charityWith holy patience to the end.Amen.
5. May he order your days in his peace,Grant your prayers in this and every place,And lead you happily to eternal life.Amen.
6. And may the blessing of Almighty God,The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,Come down on you and remain with you for ever.Amen.
7. Go in peace, glorifying the Lord with your life.All: Thanks be to God.
ITEM 28: Organ VoluntaryNun danket alle GottSigfried Karg-Elert
Closing Announcement:
Nun danket alle Gott by Sigfried Karg-Elert performed by organist John Cheer bringing to a close this morning鈥檚 Sunday Worship which came live from the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. David in Cardiff. The Celebration of Mass was led by the Dean, Canon Peter Collins and the preacher was the Archbishop of Cardiff, the Most Rev鈥檇 George Stack. The Director of Music was Jeffrey Howard. The producer was Dominic Jewel.
Next week Sunday Worship comes from St Patrick鈥檚 church in Huddersfield. 主播大秀 Radio 2 is currently seeking its Young Choristers of the Year for 2019. Details can be found on the Sunday Worship webpage.

Broadcast

  • Sun 30 Jun 2019 08:10

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