14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 06/29/2026

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 #BeNotAfraid #IowaCatholicRadio #SaintsPeterAndPaul #SacredHeart #USCCBConsecration #14thSundayOrdinaryTime #CatholicGospel #Matthew11 #TrueFreedom #July4th #250thAnniversary #CatholicFaith #ByzantineCatholic #CatholicHomily #SundayGospel #CatholicPodcast #BeNotAfraidPodcast Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our StationsLINKSYou 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 PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant 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.