Reflections on Scripture | Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Reflection

The rock of our Christian faith. Is in a person not in a religion. It is in this God man who came into the world. And if we recognize Him for who He is and listen to the truth that He shares with us, then that is the rock upon which the church will be built.

It is our relationship with God that is so essential, so important, so that we can live on this earth as God intended. So that this Earth will be more like the heaven we are going to. It's a wonderful promise. And it’s all based on that simple truth. God revealed himself in Jesus.

Closing Prayer

Open our hearts to the many ways in which each day you show us who you are, who you are in us. It is our rock. It is the thing we stand on that keeps us strong and focused in a world filled with tensions and divisions. It is your gift to us. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflections Archives

Kyle Cross