Antiphons at Lauds - Psalms of Sunday of the 1st week

1. I know whom I have put my faith in, and I know well that the just judge may look at the treasure entrusted to me, until the last day arrives.

2. The grace of God within me has not come to no avail, yet his grace is always with me.

3. I have fought the good struggle, I have finished the race, I have safeguarded the faith.

1 Pt 4, 13-14

Beloved, rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Brethren, when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Neither went I up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years

I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not.

Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: but they had heard only, ‘that he who in times past had persecuted us is now preaching the faith which once he destroyed,’ and they glorified God in me.

Then, fourteen years after, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus also with me. I went up by revelation, and passed on to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them who were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

Yet because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage, to whom we did not give place by subjection even for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. But of these who seemed to be their leaders, whatsoever they were it makes no matter to me as God accepts no man’s person, these leaders did not add anything to me: but contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was committed to Peter, for he who brought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles, and when James, Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go to the heathen, and they to the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also wanted to do.

The whole Church rejoices on this feastday (June 29) consecrated to the double martyrdom of the apostles Peter and Paul which was celebrated in both the grand basilicas erected at Rome over the tombs "of these two princes who by the cross and the sword have obtained their seat in the eternal senate" (Hymn at Vespers).

St Peter, bishop of Rome, is the vicar, that is to say the visible representative of Christ. After Jesus had been rejected so was his successor. Displacing the religious centre of the world, St Peter then left Jerusalem for Rome which became the eternal city and the seat of the Popes.

St Peter, the first pope, speaks in the name of Christ who has communicated to him his doctrine of infallibility. He is not guided by flesh and blood but by the heavenly Father who does not permit the gates of hell to prevail against the Church of which he is the foundation.

St Peter, on receiving the keys, is placed at the head of the "kingdom of heaven" upon earth, that is to say the Church, and he reigns in the name of Christ who has invested him with his power and supreme authority.

With Peter, the new Moses, leader of the new Israel, is associated Paul, the new Aaron, more eloquent than Peter, but chosen in his mother’s womb to announce to the Gentiles the riches of the grace of Christ.

Peter raised to his cross, like Chist ises above the world. He seals in his blood his confession of faith and love in Jesus, and from then on it will be in his name and as his Vicar that he will be king of souls. Paul, by sharing his labours and martyrdom, shares Chirst’s kingship and triumph.

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