Lives of the Saints – Episode 11 – St. Peter

Like Gene Autrey I’m glad to be “back in the saddle again!”  Careful listeners will be able to tell that I haven’t completely recovered from my head cold.

Episode Eleven in The Lives of the Saints, First Series, the 1928 B.C.P. Saints is focused on the life and contributions of St. Peter.  One of the seven illustrations is a 10th Century mosaic of St. Peter with his key at the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, Agliate, Lombary, Italy.  The bright blues and whites are the dominant colors.  I’ve reduced the size so that the individual tiles are not the focus of attention.  The actual image is much wider.

Watch the video version          Listen to the Podcast version

Themes of the presentation are examples of St. Peter’s leadership position among the 12, demonstrated in specific examples in which he speaks for the others or is addressed directly by Jesus.  Other examples are his presence (0ften with James and John) at major events, including the Transfiguration.

The presentation does not seek to “sugar coat” the impetuousness of St. Peter, but shows him in the broader context of doing the Lord’s work in spite of his human limitations.  I’ve also included such events as his three denials and his three-fold restoration by Jesus described only in the Gospel of St. John.  Also provided is an account of his relics at Rome and a picture of the altar at the Basilica of St. Peter under which most of his remains are found.

I’ve taken advantage of my housebound status to work on the Second Series in The Lives of the Saints, narrowing the list to 35 Saints celebrated on 28 Feast Days.  As in the First Series, the episodes will be presented in the order of their appearance on the Church calendar, beginning with St. Clement of Alexandria and St. John of Damascus, both celebrated on December 4th.

Thanks again for all your interest and support.  The podcast site lists over 14,000 downloads, but their counting method drops back to a new series once the visitation crosses 100,000.  I have no way of knowing what the actual total is.   Keep sharing access to this blog and our other sites with friends, family, fellow-parishioners and others.

Glory be to God for all things!  Amen!