Scripture Reflection – June 29, 2025

     June 29 is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, typically falling on a weekday. Because this feast is a “solemnity” falling on a Sunday in Ordinary Time, we celebrate the Solemnity, with its readings and prayers. This provides great opportunity to honor great apostles whom the Lord chose to proclaim His Gospel. They were considered the twin founders of a Christian Rome, the center of the world empire– and the heart of Christ’s Church.

They were real men – with real strengths & weaknesses. Distinct persons, but united in God’s plan to act in history among ordinary human being – a humanly impossible task.  Paul was the more educated and cultured, a Pharisee who persecuted the early Church, until the Lord converted his heart, and then used his skills to bring the Good News to the Gentiles.  Simon was a simple fisherman. He had a penchant for speaking impetuously, but was passionate and courageous.

The Lord changes his name. Peter means rock. He would be the foundation upon which Jesus, the wise builder, would build HIS Church. He would be given the keys to the kingdom – the Church, and have a special teaching authority. He was the first Bishop of Rome, a role which came to be known as Pope.

When we honor the apostles, we honor them for who they were and how they responded to God’s call in their lives. But their importance did not end with death.  Jesus entrusted to them the Deposit of Faith – some they would write in Scripture, and the rest would be passed on to the Church in Sacred Tradition. The Catholic Church, in its official teaching, still teaches with the authority of Christ, because it has been handed down from the apostles, to their successors, the bishops. This is called apostolic succession.

Pope Leo XIV is the current Successor of Peter, the “prime minister” of Christ the King. Today, thank God for His loving plan in founding the Church, and pray for the bishops, that they may be protected from evil and be worthy successors of the Apostles!