Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 29, 2024
First Reading: Acts 12.1-11
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.
Psalm 34
1I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.16The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 17-18
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.
Gospel: Matthew 16.13-19
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 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.