Franciscan Friar Fr. Paul Gallagher reflects on the Gospel readings for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Have you ever gone through a phase when you seriously questioned what you were about, where you were going, and who you really were? What was helpful during this stage? What was not helpful?
The content is edited by Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Anne Marie Lom and Joe Thiel. The excerpts from the Sunday readings are prepared by Joe Thiel. To read or download the complete pdf with excerpts for your prayer, please click here: Franciscan Gospel Reflection June 29 2025. Excerpts are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Photos: Permission was granted to use beautiful stained-glass windows from Holy Family Parish Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, North Fond du lac built in 1915. Celebrate Eucharist with this faith community and see them in person.
Matthew 16:13-19 (Masses during the day)
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 Messiah, 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.”
Background:
At the time of Jesus, the Jews were hoping for the coming of the Messiah. They believed that the anointed one of God would bring peace to the world and restore Israel as a great and powerful nation. John the Baptist preached a baptism of repentance in which people pledged to change their lives in order to prepare for the coming of that day when the anointed would appear. People of all walks of life flocked to be baptized by John. The responses by the disciples that are reported in today’s Gospel, and even Peter’s response, should be understood in the context of their day.
The culture of the west and in the United States is more individualistic than that found in many other places in the world. Mediterranean people are described as dyadic personalities. They are “other”-oriented and do not have a sense of themselves apart from their family and community. Jesus was part of this cultural world. From this perspective, perhaps his question to the disciples may not have been so much an inquiry into what people and his closest followers were thinking of him but part of his search for self-understanding. Perhaps Jesus grew in his own understanding of himself as his life unfolded.
In the text, Jesus asked what people are saying about him using the title ‘Son of Man.” Their responses refer to religious persons who are already dead, suggesting that they believe Jesus to be a religious figure who has come back to life. Jesus turns his question to the disciples, where Peter acts as the spokesperson. Peter states that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Reflection Questions:
- When you think of rocks, what qualities come mind?
- Have you ever gone through a phase when you seriously questioned what you were about, where you were going, and who you really were? What was helpful during this stage? What was not helpful?
- Have you ever asked others about how they saw you?
- Has anyone ever said something to you that gave you an insight into yourself?
- Why do you think Jesus asked the disciples who he was?
- What do you think they were thinking about Jesus asking them who people and they thought he was?
- Do you desire intimacy with God? Do you think you can have intimacy with God without having intimacy with yourself?
- What does this feast or the Gospel stir up within you? What would you like to say to God about whatever arises within you?
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