REFLECTIONS TODAY The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul commemorates the martyrdom in Rome of these two great apostles of Christ. Peter was a bold follower of the Lord. He was the first to declare Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v 16). He was, nevertheless, not exempted from mistakes. He lost faith when walking on water toward Jesus and betrayed Jesus on the night of his passion. Yet despite his human weaknesses, Peter was chosen to shepherd God’s flock. He led the early Church and ensured that the disciples kept the true faith. St. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. He was converted when he met Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus to persecute the believers. That encounter changed his life and thereafter he dedicated tirelessly his life to preaching the Gospel to the non-Jews in and outside Jerusalem. GOSPEL • Mt 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.” SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.