June 25, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

Happy Feast Day on Sunday!

The Greek word for “church” is ekklesia, which has roots that mean “those who have been called.” We, the Church, have been summoned to Christ, called to this place, invited into this special relationship.

This is not a general call, like someone who walks into a room and asks for someone’s help. To the contrary, Scripture tells us that we are called by name – that God knows the hairs on our head and that he invites each person to himself in a unique way. At our baptism, the presider asked who was being brought forward for baptism and spoke our name to make tangible this personal, loving act of God. The rite allows us to hear what has, in reality, happened: God knows each of us as unique persons and has worked to bring us to himself.

On this Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, we remember their courageous response to Christ’s call and the mighty ways God worked in and through these Apostles. We also remember that we, too, have been called; we gather inspiration from these saints’ lives, actions, and love so we can go forth and be instruments of God’s love in the world. 

Today’s readings remind us that this call asks something of us. In fact, it asks everything of us. Like Peter, we, too, must respond to Jesus’ question, But who do you say that I am? Like Paul, we will be asked to pour ourselves like a libation for those whom we have been called to love. We are asked to compete well, finish the race, and keep the faith. We may be called to have courage like Saint Peter in our first reading.

In every part of this call, we know that our loving God will give us all we need and more than we can imagine. The angel of the Lord will stand beside us, God will release our chains and lead us to freedom. The Lord will rescue us from all who oppose his perfect will. He will stand by us and give us strength, as he did for Saint Paul. He will rescue us from every evil threat and bring us safely to his heavenly Kingdom. 

The God who worked mighty deeds for Saints Peter and Paul speaks to us in the Liturgy of the Word and gives himself to us in the Eucharist. Of whom or what should we be afraid, with our Lord so near? We have been called and will be sent having encountered him in this Mass. Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us!

God Love Ya,
Fr. Reilly