Fr. Christophe Ndiwe Chiza, sx.
REFLECTION ON THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETR AND PAUL, APOSTLES
1st Reading Acts 12: 1-11 2nd Reading 2Tm 4: 6-8, 17-18 Gospel Reading Mt 16: 13-19
The Gospel reading of the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul is taken from the Gospel of Matthew 16: 13-19. Jesus addresses to Peter Solemn words. As we continue with our reflection, it is good to pay attention to what Jesus is telling his disciples.
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is? “Jesus wishes to know what people think of Him. “The disciples replied: some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, Still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” From the answer of the disciples, we notice that there are several opinions or speculations about the identity of Jesus. Today also, we do not have a common understanding of who Jesus is. Therefore, we have so many churches with different denominations and doctrines. The identity of Jesus has become a source of division and misunderstanding. After Listening to the opinion of the people about his identity, Jesus wants to know the opinions of his disciples. “But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter said in reply, “you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus is happy with the answer of Peter and He proclaims him “Blessed”. He said: Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father”. Let us keep in mind that it is through faith and divine revelation that we are able to know the true identity of Jesus. It is through our personal encounter and experience of life of faith that we will be able to know who Jesus is.
We cannot know who Jesus is by reading a book or watching a film. To know Jesus is not the result of human study or effort. It is through his personal experience of faith that Simon Peter gave a right answer to Jesus. Ask yourself: Who is Jesus for me? Who am I for Jesus? “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” Jesus’ solemn reply to Peter is a key word for today’s solemnity. Jesus reply is always interpreted variously even in opposite directions. In the Catholic Church for instance, the declaration of Jesus forms the basis for the primacy of Peter. Psychologically and emotionally speaking, Simon Peter seems to be weak. He denied Jesus and later on He cried. Peter is among the little ones, however, Jesus proclaims him to be the rock. God is able to transform our weaknesses and fragilities into the instrument of salvation. We remember also how Paul persecuted the Christians but today’s he is counted among the pillars of the Church. And I wonder what Christianity could be without Paul. “I, Paul, am already being poured out like libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith”. In this statement, Saint Paul reviews his apostolic life full of so many difficulties and challenges. But the most important thing is “I have kept the faith “. This is a strong message of encouragement and perseverance. Our time is dominated by artificial intelligence and so many challenges in connection with our Christian faith and life. Let us keep our faith and do not be deceived. We are called to become living rock on which God wants to build his kingdom.
“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”. Peter receives the keys of the Kingdom to bind and to loose, that is, to reconcile people with God. Reconciliation, mutual understanding and true fraternity are at the center of building up the Kingdom of God on earth. My dear brothers and sisters, I wish you a happy feast day of Saints Peter and Paul. May the living God transform our sinful life into the rock of salvation. Let us ask the Lord who rescued Peter from the hand of Herod, to free us also from incredulity and of endless ages of war, violence and injustice in the world.
Fr. Christophe Ndiwe Chiza, sx.
REFLECTION ON THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETR AND PAUL, APOSTLES
1st Reading Acts 12: 1-11 2nd Reading 2Tm 4: 6-8, 17-18 Gospel Reading Mt 16: 13-19
The Gospel reading of the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul is taken from the Gospel of Matthew 16: 13-19. Jesus addresses to Peter Solemn words. As we continue with our reflection, it is good to pay attention to what Jesus is telling his disciples.
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is? “Jesus wishes to know what people think of Him. “The disciples replied: some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, Still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” From the answer of the disciples, we notice that there are several opinions or speculations about the identity of Jesus. Today also, we do not have a common understanding of who Jesus is. Therefore, we have so many churches with different denominations and doctrines. The identity of Jesus has become a source of division and misunderstanding. After Listening to the opinion of the people about his identity, Jesus wants to know the opinions of his disciples. “But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter said in reply, “you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus is happy with the answer of Peter and He proclaims him “Blessed”. He said: Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father”. Let us keep in mind that it is through faith and divine revelation that we are able to know the true identity of Jesus. It is through our personal encounter and experience of life of faith that we will be able to know who Jesus is.
We cannot know who Jesus is by reading a book or watching a film. To know Jesus is not the result of human study or effort. It is through his personal experience of faith that Simon Peter gave a right answer to Jesus. Ask yourself: Who is Jesus for me? Who am I for Jesus? “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” Jesus’ solemn reply to Peter is a key word for today’s solemnity. Jesus reply is always interpreted variously even in opposite directions. In the Catholic Church for instance, the declaration of Jesus forms the basis for the primacy of Peter. Psychologically and emotionally speaking, Simon Peter seems to be weak. He denied Jesus and later on He cried. Peter is among the little ones, however, Jesus proclaims him to be the rock. God is able to transform our weaknesses and fragilities into the instrument of salvation. We remember also how Paul persecuted the Christians but today’s he is counted among the pillars of the Church. And I wonder what Christianity could be without Paul. “I, Paul, am already being poured out like libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith”. In this statement, Saint Paul reviews his apostolic life full of so many difficulties and challenges. But the most important thing is “I have kept the faith “. This is a strong message of encouragement and perseverance. Our time is dominated by artificial intelligence and so many challenges in connection with our Christian faith and life. Let us keep our faith and do not be deceived. We are called to become living rock on which God wants to build his kingdom.
“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”. Peter receives the keys of the Kingdom to bind and to loose, that is, to reconcile people with God. Reconciliation, mutual understanding and true fraternity are at the center of building up the Kingdom of God on earth. My dear brothers and sisters, I wish you a happy feast day of Saints Peter and Paul. May the living God transform our sinful life into the rock of salvation. Let us ask the Lord who rescued Peter from the hand of Herod, to free us also from incredulity and of endless ages of war, violence and injustice in the world.
Fr. Christophe Ndiwe Chiza, sx.