Gospel Reflection

June 29, 2012

Friday
Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (Solemnity)

by Rev. Fr. Chris Habal

Edsa Shrine

First Reading:               Acts 12:1-11

Psalm:                         Psalm 34:2-9  

Second Reading:          2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

Gospel:                        Matthew 16:13-19

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

HOMILY

First, like Sts. Peter and Paul, doing good was not just an obligation or a moral standard, but is a personal encounter God. We should do good not out of forced duty but because we have a personal loving relationship and commitment to Jesus Christ.

Second, although Sts. Peter and Paul are considered pillars of our catholic faith, they were also weak individuals, with Paul even being a persecutor of the Church. But it is through these weaknesses that God has transformed them. We should not lose hope or be afraid of our weaknesses, therefore, and instead pray and allow God to use these weaknesses to transform us to perfection.

Third and last, we should continue to be faithful witnesses of God - to be faithful witnesses of God and His Word, whether others accept us or not. Like Sts. Peter and Paul, we should not be afraid of rejection and continue to be undying witnesses of God through love and good actions, that we may lead others to heaven, our eternal home.