29 June 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
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“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
At Caesarea Philippi Jesus asks: “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answers: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replies: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” The Church rests on the faith Peter confessed and on the office Christ gave him, continued in the Bishop of Rome.
After the Resurrection, by the lake, Jesus asks Peter three times: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Three times Peter had denied him; three times he now confesses his love; three times Jesus entrusts him: “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep.” Peter's authority is born from mercy and love, and it ends in martyrdom: “someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.”
Paul writes from prison near the end of his life: “I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” The persecutor became the apostle of the nations; the fisherman became the rock. Both gave their lives in Rome under Nero, and the Church of Rome is built on their blood.
In Acts, Peter sleeps in prison between two soldiers, and “the church prayed fervently to God for him.” An angel comes, the chains fall from his hands. Today we pray for Peter's successor, Pope Leo XIV, and for our Major Archbishop, in communion with him. The Syro-Malankara Church entered this communion in 1930 precisely to be united with the see of Peter.
Theme: “The Rock and the Runner.”
Today the Thirteen Days' Fast ends with the feast of the two pillars of the Church. Peter confesses Christ and receives the keys; Paul runs the race to the end. One was a fisherman, the other a persecutor. Christ made both apostles, and both were martyred in Rome.
“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
Apply: Pray today for Pope Leo XIV and for our Major Archbishop-Catholicos.
“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 34:15
“He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”” John 21:17
Apply: Where you have failed the Lord, tell him again simply: “Lord, you know that I love you.”
“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself.” Daniel 1:8
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
Apply: Choose one area of life where you need perseverance and offer it to God today.
Different temperaments, one faith, one Lord, one martyrdom.
Like Peter and Paul, let us confess Christ, love him after our falls, and run to the end.
Take-home resolution: Read Acts 12:6–19 with your family and pray for the Church's shepherds.
Dear brothers and sisters, today we honour two very different men. Peter, a fisherman from Galilee, impulsive and warm-hearted, who denied Jesus three times. Paul, an educated Pharisee, who persecuted the Church. Christ chose both, changed both, and both gave their lives in Rome.
At Caesarea Philippi Jesus asked: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom.” This is why we love and obey the Pope, Peter's successor. Our Malankara Church came into Catholic communion in 1930 precisely to be one with Peter.
But see how Peter's authority was born. After his denial, Jesus asked him three times: “Do you love me?” Peter answered: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” And Jesus said: “Feed my sheep.” Authority in the Church is born from mercy and is exercised in love. A pope, a bishop, a priest, a parent: first love Jesus, then feed his sheep.
Paul, near his death, wrote: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” May each of us say that at the end of our life. Today, let us pray for Pope Leo, our Major Archbishop and our bishop, as the Church prayed fervently for Peter in prison. Sts Peter and Paul, pray for us. Amen.
Children, Peter was a fisherman. Jesus called him the Rock and made him the leader of the apostles. Today the Pope takes Peter's place!
Paul once hurt Christians, but Jesus met him and changed his heart. He travelled all over the world telling people about Jesus.
Jesus asked Peter: “Do you love me?” What would you answer? Let's say together: “Jesus, I love you!”
Lord Jesus, you built your Church on the rock of Peter's faith and spread your Gospel through Paul's labours. By their prayers keep us faithful to the end; protect Pope Leo, our Major Archbishop and our bishops; and give us hearts that answer you each day: “Lord, you know that I love you.” Amen.