Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

06-29-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Coming back from a successful mission, Jesus asked the Apostles this question: Who do people say that the Son of Man is? Then, Jesus followed it with another question: But who do you say that I am? Peter answered with his famous confession of faith: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Everybody was stunned. Where did Peter get this answer? Before they could process everything that was happening, Jesus enlightened them and said, Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly FATHER.

Peter felt proud of his answer. Now, the next part is how to make this a personal commitment to the Lord. There is something special about Peter that, from the beginning, he stands as a leader and pillar of faith of the Apostles. Without commitment, you cannot start. Without perseverance or persistence, you will not finish. But faith is the essential element of that commitment. Faith without a personal encounter with the Lord is empty, and faith without an ongoing relationship with the Lord is hypocrisy. Today, we are reminded that a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is the key factor in nourishing our faith, a one-on-one, heart-to-heart relationship with Him.

Today, we celebrate the feast of these two pillar-apostles (Sts. Peter and Paul), great men who became successful because of their special relationship and encounter with the Lord. Peter was just a fisherman, but the acknowledged leader of the Apostles and the early Church. He was the rock (kephas)upon which Jesus promised to build His Church. While St. Paul, a late bloomer, was acknowledged as the Apostle to the Gentiles.

They were chosen as pillars of the Church, not because they were perfect, but because of their qualities. They were not the ideal leaders: Peter denied the Lord three times, and Paul was the zealous Pharisee who persecuted the early Church. But Jesus saw their potential leadership qualities and their pastoral care, in addition to their tremendous zeal. With their hearts full of love and gratitude to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they surrendered their life to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Not as functionaries, but as disciples deeply committed to their master. Thus, with God’s grace, they became a strong pillar and reliable leaders of the early Church.

Last Friday, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us all strive to journey toward the HEART of JESUS. Our deepest relationship emanates from the heart, and our greatest journey is the journey to God’s heart.

Yesterday was the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Blessed Virgin Mary, our Blessed Mother, is the woman who loved truly and deeply. May we not belittle the heart and matters of the heart? The key to a peaceful and happy life is a heart full of joy and trust in the Lord.