The feast day of Saints Peter and Paul is celebrated both
in the Catholic Church and in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Invitation
May I take this opportunity to draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation aims to share with you the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s Word.
Available every day
Consideration
The first reading recounts how Peter was arrested by Herod, with a view to his condemnation. This gives rise to the worst fears, for James, the brother of John, had already been put to death by the king. Whilst Peter is locked up in prison, the Church prays fervently for him. God answers the prayer of his Church, and Peter is miraculously rescued through God’s loving assistance.
In the second reading, Paul bears witness to a similar experience. He, too, can count on God’s helping hand. We celebrate this feast precisely because both apostles – after struggle and conversion – walked the path of Jesus themselves. As long as they relied on their own strength, it was above all their weakness that became apparent. Ultimately, each in his own way, they allowed the resurrection powers of Jesus into their lives. Only then did they become a source of strength, inspiration and enthusiasm. Therein also lies the strength of the Church in our time. She can be a sign to many that it is not so much personal strength and worldly success that lead to lasting happiness, but that self-giving leads to enduring wealth and happiness.
FIRST READING Acts 12:1–11
Now I know for certain that the Lord has rescued me
from the power of Herod.
From the Acts of the Apostles
In those days,
King Herod laid hands on some members of the Church
to persecute them:
James, the brother of John,
he had put to death with the sword.
Realising that this pleased the Jews,
he also had Peter arrested.
It was during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Once he had him in his power,
he threw him into prison
and had him guarded by four squads of soldiers,
each consisting of four men;
his intention was
to bring Peter before the people after the Passover.
Whilst Peter was in prison,
the church prayed fervently to God for him.
On the night before Herod intended to bring him before the people,
Peter lay bound with two chains,
asleep between two soldiers,
whilst a guard was also posted
at the prison gate.
Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him,
and the cell was filled with light.
He struck Peter on the side,
woke him and said:
“Get up quickly.”
At once the chains fell from his hands.
Then the angel said:
“Put on your belt
and fasten your sandals.”
Peter did so.
The angel continued:
“Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”
He went out with him,
without yet realising
that what the angel was doing was real:
he thought he was seeing a vision.
They passed the first and second guards
and came to the iron gate leading into the city;
which opened of its own accord before them.
They stepped outside,
walked a short distance down the street
and suddenly the angel had vanished.
Then Peter came to his senses and said:
“Now I know for certain
that the Lord has sent his angel
and rescued me from Herod’s power
and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.”
INTERLUDIUM Ps . 34(33), 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, 8–9
The Lord has saved me from all that I feared.
I will praise the Lord every day;
his praise is ever on my lips.
My spirit rejoices in the Lord’s favour,
let all who hear it rejoice.
Glorify the Lord together with me,
and let us honour His Name in unity.
I turned to the Lord and He answered me,
He has delivered me from all that I feared.
Put your trust in Him, and you shall be happy,
for He will not let you down.
Those who cry out in distress, the Lord hears them,
and delivers them from their misery.
The angel of God encamps round them,
to protect all who fear God.
Take heed and see how gracious the Lord is;
blessed is he who seeks his salvation in Him.
SECOND READING 2Tim. 4:6–8, 17–18
Now the crown of righteousness awaits me.
From the Second Letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to Timothy
Beloved,
As for me,
my blood is about to be shed,
the hour of my departure is near.
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
Now the crown of righteousness awaits me,
with which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
will reward me on the great day, and not only me,
but all who look forward to his coming with love.
The Lord has stood by me and given me strength
to fulfil my ministry as a preacher of the Gospel
to the very end,
so that all nations might hear it,
and I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.
The Lord will continue to protect me from all evil attacks
and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom.
To him be glory for ever and ever!
Amen.
ALLELUIA Mt . 16:18
Alleluia.
You are Peter,
and on this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt. 16:13–19
You are Peter, and I will give you the keys
of the Kingdom of Heaven
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Matthew
At that time,
when Jesus had come to the region of Caesarea Philippi,
He asked His disciples this question:
“Who do people say
the Son of Man?”
They replied:
“Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But you,
– He said to them –
who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter replied:
“You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied:
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,
for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood,
but by my Father in heaven.
“And I tell you:
“You are Peter;
and on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
“I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven;
and whatever you bind on earth,
shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth,
shall be loosed in heaven.”
To be continued
Every morning at 7 am
Encyclical of
POPE FRANCIS
On Care for Our Common Home
161. We can no longer view the catastrophic predictions with contempt and irony. We risk leaving behind too much rubble,
deserts and waste for future generations. The pace of
consumption, waste and environmental degradation has exceeded the planet’s capacity,
to such an extent that our current lifestyle,
being unsustainable, can only lead to catastrophes, as is, in fact, already happening periodically in various regions. Reducing
the effects of the current imbalance depends on what we do now,
especially when we consider the responsibility that those who will suffer the worst consequences will attribute to us.
To be continued
Every day at 1 am
The Bible passage in this edition is taken fromThe New Bible Translation,
©Nederlands Bijbelgenootschap 2004/2007.
Reflections from Liturgical Suggestions for Weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official english translation