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SOCL, Peter and Paul, DayC

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Sunday June 29, 2025


See


The church is like the human person: we are both body and spirit at the one time. The body of Christ—which is what we are—has both a bodily reality (membership, structure and sacraments) and a spiritual reality (the life of faith and prayer, the indwelling Spirit). The institutional and the prophetic dimensions of Church are sometimes in tension and that is really normal. To be part of the living body of Christ is to hear again Jesus’ question, who do you say I am? As St Paul reminds us, no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3).


Listen



Reflect


(Matthew 16:13-19)


This marks a turning point in the life of Jesus, and of the disciples. It is the first time that his disciples recognise him as the Messiah. Recall turning points in your own journey of faith when you came to some deeper understanding of who Jesus is.


“Who do you say that I am?” This is possibly the most important question that Jesus puts to us. In your heart of hearts, how do you answer this question today?


Jesus praises Peter for his faith and comments that this was not his own doing but a gift of God. Perhaps there have been times when you have been conscious of the gift nature of your faith. Be thankful for the gift you have received.


Pray


O God, source of every good gift and sure foundation of our unity, as we honour and revere Saints Peter and Paul, grant your Church a share in their zeal for the gospel. Strengthen our faith to be witnesses, even unto death, of the one Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

 
 
 

The Word today, Peter and Paul, DayC

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June 30 - July 05, 2025


The First Martyrs of the See of Rome


Genesis 18:16-23 This very human way of describing God might seem “primitive” but the spirituality behind it is anything but primitive. Abraham intercedes and his intercession is effective in reducing God’s intended wrath. Of course we are very uncomfortable with aspects of the story; nevertheless, the daring intimacy of Abraham, effectively calling God back to his merciful self, can still speak to us today. We too can dare to be intimate because we know in Jesus just how loving and merciful is our heavenly father.


Matthew 8:18-22 The conditions of discipleship are daunting and, yet, the stories are unfinished and open-ended.


St Oliver Plunkett


Genesis 19:15-29 The story of Lot’s wife and the pillar of salt has entered into popular imagination and no doubt reflects a folk explanation for the columns of salt around the Dead Sea. This, however, is not the main point of the reading. It is a frightening story of punishment, from which Lot barely escapes. No looking back!


Matthew 8:23-27 Again, we have a kind of symbolic story, mirroring the experience of the early church and the church of today. How often have we felt like crying out, Save us, Lord, we are going down!



Genesis 21:5, 8-20 Although Ishmael really was indeed Abraham’s son, nevertheless domestic rivalry leads to the shocking expulsion of Hagar and her child. Fortunately, God takes the side of the refugees and, indeed, of Abraham himself.


Matthew 8:23-27 This extraordinary story works on more than one level. In Jewish tradition, pigs are ritually unclean. The demons ask for permission to reside in them, but it turns out to be only a stay of execution. The victory of Jesus over evil is total.


St Thomas, apostle


Eph 2:19-22 This short reading is rich in resonance: it presents the Christian life as a home coming (something most of us have experienced), a being built into a house of God.


John 20:24-29 It is interesting that this story survives in p o p u l a r m e m o r y a s “ d o u b t i n g Thomas.” And yet, the central point is his tremendous faith and confession: my Lord and my God.


St Elizabeth of Portugal


Genesis 23:1-4,19, 24:1-8, 62-67 We have a very human moment on today’s reading: Abraham loses his beloved Sarah and Isaac loses his mother. Rebekah—a fateful character in the stories of Isaac and Jacob—enters the narrative.


Matthew 9:9-13 The call of Matthew inspired a very famous painting by Caravaggio. It is dramatic and the subsequent scene is electrifying. The risk will be that we may think of ourselves as the virtuous whereas we are really among the sinners.


St Antony Mary Zaccaria, priest


Genesis 27:1-5,15-29 This is wonderful narrative—but diffcult: an aged father is cruelly deceived. The paradox is that even through what is done seems awkward, the blessing goes to the right person. In Genesis, the second born (Israel) is preferred to others (the nations), just as God preferred Israel over the surrounding empires.


Matthew 9:14-17 A constant question in religion is how much of the old to hold on to and how open we should be to the times we live in. Jesus resolved this tension is favour of newness and innovation.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bd, June 29). Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062925-Vigil.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings


 
 
 

One another, Peter and Paul, DayC

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June 29, 2025



Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world:


For the Church: that we, like Peter and Paul, may allow God to transform us more and more into the image of Christ: let us pray to the Lord.


For all gathered here: that formed by the preaching of Peter and Paul, we may never tire of bringing the Good News to others: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are persecuted for their faith, especially those who are facing torture or death: that they may experience Christ with them in their suffering and remain faithful witnesses of God: let us pray to the Lord.


For Pope Leo: that God inspire his words as he promotes and encourages the faith handed on by the Apostles: let us pray to the lord.

 

For a deepening of faith: that God will draw us into a deeper relationship and greater trust of the one who loves us without limit: let us pray to the Lord.


For a renewal of prayer: that God will teach us to pray and help us to never give up in the face of adversity: let us pray to the Lord.


For all missionaries and evangelist: that they may experience Christ standing by them and guiding their teaching: let us pray to the Lord.


For the conversion of all who seek to harm and confuse God’s holy people: that God will touch hearts and change minds through the witness of faithful disciples: let us pray to the Lord.


For Christian Unity: that God’s Spirit will lead us along new paths to overcome the differences between all who bear the name of Christian: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are away from loved ones: that God will keep them safe and help them to be faithful to their commitments: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are suffering from flooding: that God will help them find safety and give them strength to renew their lives: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who produce our food: that God will provide favorable weather and a good growing season: let us pray to the Lod.


For all who are seeking employment: that God will guide their search and lead them to new ways to use their gifts: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are traveling by air, sea or land: that God will lead them and guide them safely to their destination: let us pray to the Lord.


For the gift of peace: that God will give courage to those who make risks for peace so that all may live in peace: let us pray to the Lord.

 

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Sonfree us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of lifeand proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bd, June 29). Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062925-Vigil.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.


 
 
 
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