Daily Readings - Tue Jun 29 2021
Acts
1Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.5Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.6And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.7And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.8And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.9And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.10When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
2 Timothy
6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Matthew
13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt 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.