Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles, Monday June 29, 2026

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

"But who do you say that I am?"

I always look forward to the Solemnities and Feast Days of the Church. This particular feast, honoring Saints Peter and Paul, reminds me in a special way of our Holy Father and all our priests. It is a beautiful reminder of the significance of their ordination and their call to faithfully proclaim Christ. (Please pray for our priests and the Holy Father.)

When Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered with courage and conviction: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus tells him that this truth was revealed not by human understanding, but by the Father. Peter's profession of faith became the rock upon which Christ would build His Church.

Thanks be to God for the men who have said "yes" to the priesthood. They dedicate their lives to knowing Christ more deeply and bringing Him to the People of God through the sacraments, preaching, and faithful service.

But Jesus' question is not meant for Peter alone. He asks each of us, "Who do you say that I am?" It is a question I try to reflect on every day as I continue to grow in my relationship with Jesus. The more time we spend with Him in prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments, the more He reveals Himself to us. Our answer is not simply something we speak—it is something we live. May our lives proclaim, with the same faith and courage as Peter, that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of the living God.