Scripture Reflection, June 29, 2025, Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles

Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18 Matthew 16:13-19

In today’s readings God demonstrates tremendous love and care for both St. Peter and St. Paul. And, by extension, God gifts that love to each of us as well.

In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter is miraculously rescued from prison and certain death by an angel of the Lord. And in the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus recognizes and affirms Peter’s love and faithfulness by naming him “the rock” upon which God will build the Church…a Church we are blessed to be part of some 2000 years later. (Take a moment to let that truth sink in!)

As incredible as it is to be part of something that has been in existence for 2000 years, I am intrigued by something else that I hear in the readings of the day. Our second reading, from the letters of St. Paul to Timothy, presents a portrait of Paul in his later years, nearing the end of his life. He is engaging in the kind of soul-searching reflection that comes from a long and interesting life…a life in which he has “finished the race” and “kept the faith”.

As a person who is now three-quarters of a century old, I am certainly living the later part of my life as well. I don’t exactly know where the finish line is, but I am on the home stretch. Accordingly, I am drawn to reflecting upon my life thus far - especially as it relates to my faith and the ways in which I have chosen to live that faith. I find myself musing about questions to which I have alluded in this column in the past. Most of those questions have to do with my relationships with God, other people and myself. I am blessed to have lived a relatively long and certainly interesting life thus far. I write this to acknowledge that I have a great deal for which to be thankful.

Sometimes, in the course of a day, when I have a few moments of quiet and peacefulness, a profound sense of gratitude washes over me. All I want to do in those moments is pray this simple but profound prayer: “My Lord, I love You.” Then my spirit grows quiet, and I just savor the love that exists between God and me.

Fortunately, one does not have to wait until age 75 to appreciate and to celebrate the love that God has for each one of us - and the invitations that God presents for us to bask in that love and to reciprocate it. Moreover, those five words: “My Lord, I love you”, can serve as a gateway to all kinds of wonderful conversations with the One who loves us like no one else can - no one else ever will! From that, the deepest of loves, a love gifted to us all, comes a joy beyond all measure!

by: Bill Miller