Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 29, 2021
First Reading: Acts 12.1-11
1About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.2He killed James the brother of John with the sword,3and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.4And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.5So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.6Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.7And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands.8And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me."9And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.10When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.11When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."
Psalm 34
1I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.3Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!4I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.8Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!9Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!10The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.16The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.20He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.21Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 17-18
6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.8Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.18The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel: Matthew 16.13-19
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"16Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.18And 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.19I 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."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful stories of faith, trust, and God’s providence. The first reading from Acts recounts the miraculous rescue of Peter from prison through the intervention of an angel. Despite the dangers and Herod’s persecution, Peter’s faith remains unshaken, and God’s plan unfolds in a way that surpasses human understanding. The second reading from 2 Timothy offers a deeply personal reflection from Paul, who, facing the end of his life, expresses unwavering confidence in God’s salvation and the ultimate triumph of his mission. The Gospel from Matthew presents a pivotal moment when Peter, inspired by divine revelation, confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus then establishes Peter as the rock upon which the Church will be built, entrusting him with the keys of the kingdom.
These readings are deeply interconnected. In Acts, we see the early Church facing persecution but also experiencing the power of prayer and God’s deliverance. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, reflects on his own trials and the assurance of God’s faithfulness, even in the face of death. In the Gospel, Peter’s confession and his commissioning as the foundation of the Church remind us of the divine plan that binds all these events together. Each reading emphasizes trust in God’s plan and the importance of remaining steadfast in faith, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or fraught with danger.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God’s providence. Like Peter in prison, we may face situations that seem impossible to escape, but God’s power can work in ways we least expect. Like Paul, we may encounter trials that test our resolve, but we can draw strength from the knowledge that God stands with us. And like Peter, we are called to confess our faith boldly and to recognize our role in building up the Church. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s plan for our lives? Are we willing to stand firm in our faith, even when the world around us seems hostile or uncertain? May these readings inspire us to live with courage, hope, and unwavering trust in the Lord, who always works for our salvation and the glory of his kingdom.