"We are a community of disciples inspired by the Holy Spirit to be living witnesses for transformation in Christ to bring about a world of justice, human development and true peace."
Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide
June 29, 2025 (Cycle C, Year I) – Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Community Word: We celebrate the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Theme: The Holy Spirit empowers us to proclaim that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.
Promise: "…the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord will award to me on that day." (2 Tim 4:8)
Reflection:
The lives of Saints Peter and Paul stand as powerful testimonies of what God can do through the Holy Spirit. Both men were ordinary and deeply flawed. Yet, through the power of the Spirit, they became fearless witnesses of the Gospel, boldly proclaiming that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Their journeys remind us that when we yield to the Holy Spirit, we, too, can be transformed into courageous proclaimers of faith.
Peter, though sincere in his love for Jesus, often stumbled. He denied Jesus three times out of fear, but after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, he was radically changed. From a fearful disciple, he became a fearless preacher. He courageously preached about Jesus as the Messiah, declaring, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt 16:16). For this confession of faith, Jesus called him the "rock" on which the Church would be built. God had more for him to do – his mission to lead the Church was not yet finished. His boldness came not from self-confidence but from being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Paul, too, experienced a dramatic transformation. Once a zealous persecutor of Christians, he encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. That encounter, and his later filling with the Holy Spirit, turned him from enemy to evangelist. He gave up his prestige and comfort to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. His letters, especially his final words to Timothy, reveal his unwavering commitment, "I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith," (2 Tim 4:7). Paul knew that it was God who empowered and sustained him. He trusted in the promise, "The Lord, the just judge, will award me on that day… and bring me to His heavenly kingdom," (2 Tim 4:8, 18).
What unites Peter and Paul is not their backgrounds, personalities, or talents; it is the Holy Spirit working in them. They were empowered not only to believe in Jesus but to proclaim Him boldly, even in the face of imprisonment, rejection, and death. Their lives were a living witness to the truth they preached.
We may not face prison or martyrdom like Peter and Paul, but we, too, are called to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. The same Holy Spirit that empowered them is alive in us. He gives us courage to speak when we are afraid, wisdom when we are unsure, and strength when we are weak. Proclaiming Jesus does not always mean preaching in public squares. Oftentimes, it means sharing our faith with a struggling friend, standing for truth in a difficult situation, or living our lives in quiet yet firm witness.
The Spirit empowers us to proclaim Jesus not only outwardly but also inwardly. He deepens our conviction that Jesus is truly Lord over every part of our lives, in our choices, relationships, fears, and future. As we grow in intimacy with the Lord, we naturally desire to make Him known.
Saints Peter and Paul were not perfect, and neither are we. But that is the beauty of grace. God chooses the weak and imperfect so that His power may be seen more clearly. As we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, He transforms our failures into testimonies, our timidity into boldness, and our brokenness into healing for others.
Today, the Church continues to be built on the living witness of believers. When we open our hearts to the Spirit and proclaim that Jesus is Lord, we take our place in this great mission. And like Peter and Paul, we can look forward to the reward promised: "…the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord will award to me on that day," (2 Tim 4:8).
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the examples of Saints Peter and Paul. Through their transformed lives, we are reminded that Your grace can overcome all weaknesses. Empower us with Your Holy Spirit to boldly proclaim that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Shape us into living stones that build up Your Church. May we serve with joy, love, and courage, trusting always in Your promise of eternal life. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Reflection Guide Questions:
1. How is the Holy Spirit prompting me to proclaim that Jesus is my Lord and Savior through my words, actions, and daily life?
2. As a community member, how do I overcome the challenges in participating in the apostolate of evangelization and mission?
This Week's Daily Mass Reading Guide:
June 29, 2025 (Sun) – Ac 12:1-11/ Ps 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9/ 2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18/ Mt 16:13-19
June 30, 2025 (Mon) – Gn 18:16-33/ Ps 103:1-4, 8-11/ Mt 8:18-22
July 1, 2025 (Tue) – Gn 19:15-29/ Ps 26:2, 3, 9-12/ Mt 8:23-27
July 2, 2025 (Wed) – Gn 21:5, 8-20/ Ps 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13/ Mt 8:28-34
July 3, 2025 (Thu) – Eph 2:19-22/ Ps 117:1, 2/ Jn 20:24-29
July 4, 2025 (Fri) – Gn 23:1-4, 15; 24:1-8, 62-67/ Ps 106:1, 2, 3-5/ Mt 9:9-13
July 5, 2025 (Sat) – Gn 27:1-5, 15-29/ Ps 135:1-6/ Mt 9:14-17
"Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!"
Weekly: Theme, Promise, Order, Direction and Prophesies (bldworld.org)