Saint Peter and Saint Paul, June 29

At this time of the year we are thinking of planting things or at least thinking about things we could have planted or did plant. We are not thinking of harvesting things yet, but actually some harvesting is taking place already if the weather has been cooperative. Farmers have hopefully started on their 1st crop of hay if they haven’t finished with it already. We are already visiting the Farmer’s Markets to take advantage of spring vegetables and fruits. The church celebrates the beginning of the harvest season with the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29th. They are remembered together for “beginning the ‘harvest of the church.” (1) And because of their harvest we are part of the crop, or God’s harvest.

You may want to celebrate these 2 saints by having a seafood meal, to honor St. Peter the fisherman, with a glass of grape juice (or wine) to honor St. Paul as he recommends in his epistle to Timothy (5:23), “Take a little … for your stomach’s sake.” Another way to celebrate SS. Peter and Paul is to make or buy fresh bread and share that with your family and/or friends. Bread is made with grain and we all know that is harvested before it can be made into bread.

As you celebrate SS Peter and Paul remember those who earn their living off of the harvest. Say a prayer that the weather will be kind to them this year when it is time to bring in their harvest as well as it grows and flourishes beforehand.
( 1 - Take Me Home, Liturgy Training Publications, 1991)