Daily Gospel Reflection for June 29, 2025: Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

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

Today's Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

I recently considered the baby name Augustine for my newborn, as the last book I had read near his birth was the masterwork Confessions by St. Augustine. In its first pages, Augustine praises God as all-mighty while comparing our relative weakness as human beings. God's power over us is infinite, to the extreme that even our impulse to love God comes directly from God Himself. The examples of Peter and Paul and their utter devotion to prayer, living out the Word, and passionate love for Christ are exactly what is missing in today's world. It is so hard to find such zeal. If I could travel back to any period in time, I would pick the time of the apostles' encounter with Christ on earth. Imagine being present when Peter declared that Christ is the Messiah. Or encountering firsthand Paul as he traveled throughout the ancient world converting Gentiles.

We must ask ourselves what is it to be a disciple. Rates of depression and suicide are skyrocketing in our country, likely because of our spiritual deserts and that we have lost touch with the importance of regular reliance and reflection on God's presence in our lives. We are so distracted by busyness that we often miss what matters most. To be a true disciple, we must constantly emulate our rabbi, encountering Jesus, "entering into his boundless trust," and "being led by him, step by step, to the Father" (YOUCAT 477), through prayer and centering ourselves on His will rather than our own. We must be prepared at all times to confidently declare that Jesus Christ is God, our Lord and Savior! 

Ponder:

What is the ultimate purpose of life other than to follow Christ as a faithful disciple? 

Pray:

Lord, help me to take the appropriate time each day to reflect on who You are. Help me to be steadfast, emulating Your example here on earth.

Copyright 2025 Alexis Dallara-Marsh