This episode of Be Not Afraid on Iowa Catholic Radio brings together two major occasions: the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul and the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, airing on the eve of America's 250th Independence Day.

Fr. Fabian and Fr. Bruce Riebe open with the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul — a holy day of obligation in the Byzantine Catholic Church and a solemnity in the Latin Church worldwide. They discuss Peter as the rock and vicar of Christ, his martyrdom in Rome as the foundation of the papacy, and Paul's dramatic Damascus Road conversion that made him one of the most fervent evangelists in Church history. The hosts note that in the Byzantine tradition, parishes are named Saints Peter and Paul together — honoring both pillars as inseparable.

The conversation connects the feast to July 4th and America's 250th anniversary, including the USCCB's recent consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at their conference in Orlando, Florida. Drawing on Pope Pius's encyclical on Sacred Heart devotion and Pope Francis's Dilexit Nos, the hosts reflect on what true independence means: not autonomy from God, but freedom from sin through Christ's death and resurrection.

The Gospel of Matthew 11:25–30 anchors the final segment — Christ's invitation to the burdened and weary. Fr. Bruce reflects on the yoke as a symbol of balanced burden-bearing, offering pastoral encouragement to those carrying heavy crosses. Fr. Fabian warns against the pride that closes the heart to God's wisdom and mercy.

Learn more at IowaCatholicRadio.com

Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations

LINKS

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.

If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here!

More from Iowa Catholic Radio:

• Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
• Man Up! with Joe Stopulos
• Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
• The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
• Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
• Be Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián Moncada
• Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen
• Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle
• The Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos
   

Liturgy & Devotions

• The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
• The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi
• The Daily Mass from St. Pius X
• The Daily Mass from St. Theresa
• Sunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint John

Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.