June 29, 2025・Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles (C)

Acts 12.1-11・Psalm 34.2+3, 4+5, 7+8・2 Timothy 4.6-8,17-18・Matthew 16.13-19

Today is Sunday, and traditionally following our liturgy, (today) is Lord`s day. We are celebrating the special feast of the Church that aims to further deepen the knowledge and understanding of the role of the Church in the world. It was through Peter and Paul, both responding to the call of spreading the Kingdom of God on earth, that the Church from the very beginning until these present days is able to carry her (the Church) stability in many aspects such as clear structures that help preserve and conserve the traditions of the Church handed down faithfully from the very beginning. Fidelity means having consistency and unity in the Church spreading traditions and interpretations of the Word of God (the Bible) in many races and cultures. While Peter represents many aspects of the Church that gives her (the Church) stability, Paul represents both the prophetic and missionary role of the Church. The role of the Church specifically is to let the establishment of the Kingdom of God grow more and be well-spread all throughout the world.

May our reflection today not only revolve around what has happened in the history of our Church. As we continue to acknowledge the guidance of the Holy Spirit to the leadership of Peter and Paul and their successors, and all throughout our Church` life, may the Church, through the fruits of the seeds planted by our past mentors be able to truly respond to the challenges of the changing world with new social problems, new faces of poverty, injustice, discrimination, and lack of freedom and peace.  

Consistently showing the face of Jesus to the changing world can be the so-called the Church` stability well-lived. Consistently reading the signs of the times in the context of our Christian faith can be our expression of fidelity to the prophetic and missionary role of the church.