Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 29, 2024
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 narratives that weave together themes of faith, trust, and the divine intervention that shapes our lives and the life of the Church. The first reading from Acts recounts the dramatic rescue of Peter from prison through the intercession of an angel, a testament to the power of persistent prayer and the faith of the early Christian community. The second reading from 2 Timothy offers a deeply personal reflection from Paul, who, in the twilight of his life, expresses unwavering confidence in God’s deliverance 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 Messiah, earning the promise that he will be the rock upon which the Church is built.
These readings, while distinct in their contexts, are deeply interconnected. The rescue of Peter in Acts underscores the importance of communal prayer and trust in God’s providence, even in the face of persecution. Paul’s letter, written in the shadow of martyrdom, reveals the fruit of a life lived in fidelity to the Gospel, reminding us that our ultimate hope lies not in this world but in the eternal kingdom. The Gospel, with Peter’s confession, highlights the centrality of faith as the foundation of the Church and the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the truth of who Jesus is.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own faith journey. Like Peter, we may face trials and uncertainties, but we are called to trust in God’s plan and to pray with perseverance. Like Paul, we are challenged to remain steadfast in our commitment to the Gospel, even when the path is difficult. And like the early disciples, we are reminded that our faith is not based on human wisdom but on the revelation of God. Let us ask ourselves: Do we truly believe that God is at work in our lives, even in the darkest moments? Are we willing to stand firm in our faith, like Paul, and to trust in God’s deliverance? And do we, like Peter, recognize the gift of faith that allows us to confess Jesus as the Son of the living God?
As we reflect on these readings, may we be inspired to deepen our faith, to trust more fully in God’s providence, and to live as witnesses to the power of the Gospel in our world. Let us remember that we are part of a larger community, a Church built on the rock of Peter’s confession, and that we are called to pray for one another, to support one another, and to remain steadfast in our commitment to the Lord. May we, like Peter and Paul, be instruments of God’s grace and may our lives bear witness to the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ.