Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 29, 2022
First Reading: Acts 12.1-11
1It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.3When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.4After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.5So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.6The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.8Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him.9Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.10They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.11Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."
Psalm 34
1I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.2My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.3Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.4I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.6This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.8Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.9Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.10The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,13keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.14Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;16the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.18The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.19A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;20he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.21Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 17-18
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.8Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful stories of faith, persecution, and divine deliverance. The first reading from Acts recounts the dramatic rescue of Peter from prison by an angel. Despite the dangers and Herod’s persecution, the early Christian community prayed ceaselessly for Peter, and God intervened in a miraculous way, freeing Peter from captivity. This story reminds us of the power of prayer and the trust we should place in God’s providence, even in the face of adversity.
The second reading from 2 Timothy offers a deeply personal reflection from St. Paul, who, near the end of his life, expresses confidence in God’s plan. Paul acknowledges the struggles he has faced but affirms that he has remained faithful, trusting that God will bring his work to completion. His words encourage us to persevere in our own trials, knowing that God’s strength sustains us and that our ultimate reward awaits us in heaven.
Both readings remind us that our faith is not merely a set of beliefs but a living relationship with God. Just as Peter and Paul trusted in God’s plan, even when their circumstances seemed hopeless, we too are called to place our trust in Him. In our daily lives, we face challenges that may seem insurmountable, but these readings invite us to turn to prayer, to trust in God’s providence, and to remain steadfast in our commitment to the Gospel. Let us draw strength from the examples of Peter and Paul, remembering that God is always with us, even in the darkest moments, and that He will see us through to eternal life.