1ST READING
Peter
was the first to minister to the Gentiles. Why? Luke wanted such a
ministry to be endorsed by the accepted overall authority in the Early
Church — Peter. Once Peter has sanctioned this ministry, then Paul will
be able to continue it in the manner with which we are familiar. Luke
wanted the developments in the ministry of the Church and its life to
have a legitimate basis. Peter’s participation established this.
Acts 12:1-11
1In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. 2He
had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw
that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also. —
It was the feast of Unleavened Bread. — 4He
had him taken into custody and put in prison under the guard of four
squads of four soldiers each. He intended to bring him before the people
after Passover. 5Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the church was fervently being made to God on his behalf. 6On the
very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by
double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while outside the door
guards kept watch on the prison. 7Suddenly
the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He
tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly.” The
chains fell from his wrists. 8The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” 9So he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10They passed the
first guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate leading out to
the city, which opened for them by itself. They emerged and made their
way down an alley, and suddenly the angel left him. 11Then Peter recovered his senses and said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.
P S A L M
Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R: The Lord delivered me from all my fears.
1 [2] I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 2 [3] Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (R) 3 [4] Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name. 4 [5] I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (R) 5 [6] Look to
him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 6 [7] When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R) 7 [8] The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 [9] Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him. (R)
2ND READING
Paul
gives his entire life to the service of the Gospel. Let us do the same.
Let us never tire of serving and persevere in the face of difficulties
and trials. Let us stand by the truth of God’s love for all people and
bring this truth to all men and women through the witness of our lives.
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
6 I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 8 From
now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just
judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who
have longed for his appearance. 17 The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the
proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The
Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to
his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
GOSPEL
The
Church was built upon Peter’s imperfect faith. While Jesus is the
foundation of the Church, it is through faith that we contribute to the
work of the Church. We have
our faults and failures, just like Peter did. However, God chose us,
imperfect though we are, to manifest the truth of salvation to the
world. Let us obey His will as best as we can.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:13-19
13 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus
said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh
and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 And
so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19 I
will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven.”
think: Let us never tire of serving and persevere in the face of difficulties and trials.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Chronicles 4-6
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