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Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 6:13-19

Peter, the fisherman, not a great scholar or politician, is the rock on which Jesus built His Church.

When Jesus asks the Apostles very directly who they say that He is, Peter replies with holy boldness:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Doesn’t Peter’s courage inspire in you a kind of awe? Yes, he had witnessed miracles. He had felt God’s presence always in and around Jesus. But he takes it a step further and identifies Jesus as the Son of God. He did not preface his sentence with the words, I think that. He simply speaks the truth.

Peter proclaims what the Father has revealed to him, just as he will after Jesus’ death and resurrection, and as he will continue to proclaim up to his own martyrdom. 

Peter’s courage is rewarded with the keys to the Kingdom. And on the rock of Peter, the Church will be built.  Peter recognized and declared the truth just as the Church will continue to do until the end of time.

When our children, or anyone, asks what the reason is for our faith in the Catholic Church, this Gospel is the answer. Jesus established His Church with Peter as the head, the first Pope in an unbroken line of succession up to and including Pope Francis. Upon Jesus’ death, Peter became the vicar of Christ, and that authority continues to be passed on with each successive papacy.

It is these words of Jesus, “and upon this rock I will build my Church,” that the authority and unity of the Church is established. These are Jesus’ exact words. It is a direct quote.

“And the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”

Evil will try but it will not prevail. The Church is a rock.

 

Ponder:

 

Consider the unity of the Catholic Church and how the authority of the papacy continues until today and into the future.

 

Pray:


O Lord, please instill in us and in our families the courage and boldness of the Apostle Peter, our first pope. May we do our part in building the Church by also proclaiming the truth, even in the face of hostility and opposition.

 

Daily Gospel 2

 

Copyright 2025 Rosemary Bogdan

About the Author

Rosemary Bogdan

Rosemary Bogdan

Rosemary Bogdan is a wife, mother of six adult children, and a grandmother. She homeschooled her children when they were young and currently substitute teaches at her favorite Catholic school. When not spending time with her family, Rosemary writes at A Catholic Mother's Thoughts and Catholic365.com.