Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles - Acts 12:1-11; 2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18; Mt 16:13-19

06-29-2025Weekly ReflectionThe Faithful Disciple

Too often, we conceive of our earthly pilgrimage as a convoluted maze we must travel by ourselves. Consequently, many of us either ignore the question altogether or become overwhelmed by how ill-equipped we are for the task. But in today’s Gospel, Jesus indicates that confusion was never part of his plan. Responding to Peter’s profession of faith, Jesus says, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” From the mouth of Eternal Wisdom comes words which establish a Church on Peter’s God-given faith. Already a leader among the disciples, Peter now receives his vocation to be the foundation of unity among the Apostles.

Their successors, the bishops, would be recognizable by their union with Peter’s successors, the popes. Over time, the Church’s understanding of Peter’s authority would mature and deepen. From the beginning, however, Peter’s role as shepherd meant that navigating the path to heaven was not something we were to do in isolation. We aren’t asked to decipher the meaning of the Scriptures ourselves or to untangle centuries of theological speculation in order to follow Jesus. God, who knows we cannot make the journey alone, has given us a visible Church to be our guide.

Jesus established the Church so that we would have a sure and safe means of transit on our earthly pilgrimage. Convinced though we may be of this truth, we nevertheless have to contend with the storms that buffet her from within and without. Yet we can rest in Jesus’ assurance to Peter: “the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” The Church has survived for millennia as empires have risen and fallen around her. Even in her darkest hours, Christ has continued to speak through her and, by his sacraments, to touch us intimately with his love.

PRAY: Today’s first reading, which takes place when Peter is in prison, contains an interesting detail: “Prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on [Peter’s] behalf.” As members of Christ’s Church on earth, we are not meant to be passive players. This week, pray for Peter — that is, for his successor, the pope — that he may fulfill his lofty and difficult vocation to lead the world to Christ.