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| "Saint Peter" (left) and "Saint Paul" (right) -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: Acts
12: 1 - 11
1
About that time King Herod decided to persecute some members of the
Church.
2
He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword,
3
and when he saw how it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter
also.
This
happened during the festival of the Unleavened Bread.
4
Herod had him seized and thrown into prison with four squads, each of
four soldiers, to guard him. He wanted to bring him to trial before
the people after the Passover feast,
5
but while Peter was kept in prison, the whole Church prayed earnestly
for him.
6
On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was
sleeping between two soldiers, bound by a double chain, while guards
kept watch at the gate of the prison.
7
Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there and a light shone in the
prison cell. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him saying,
"Get up quickly!" At once the chains fell from Peter's
wrists. The angel said, "Put on your belt and your sandals."
Peter did so,
8
and the angel added, "Now, put on your cloak and follow me."
9
Peter followed him out; yet he did not realize that what was
happening with the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.
10
They passed the first guard and then the second and they came to the
iron door leading out to the city, which opened of itself for them.
They went out and made their way down a narrow alley, when suddenly
the angel left him.
11
Then Peter recovered his senses and said, "Now I know that the
Lord has sent his angel and has rescued me from Herod's clutches and
from all that the Jews had in store for me."
PSALM:
Psalms 34:
2 - 9
2
I will bless the Lord all my days; his praise will be ever on my
lips.
3
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the lowly hear and rejoice.
4
Oh, let us magnify the Lord, together let us glorify his name!
5
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; from all my fears he delivered
me.
6
They who look to him are radiant with joy, their faces never clouded
with shame.
7
When the poor cry out, the Lord hears and saves them from distress.
8
The Lord's angel encamps and patrols to keep safe those who fear him.
9
Oh, see and taste the goodness of the Lord! Blessed is the one who
finds shelter in him!
SECOND
READING: 2
Timothy 4: 6 - 8,
17 - 18
6
As for me the time of sacrifice has arrived, and the moment of my
departure has come.
7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept
the faith.
8
Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness with which the
Lord, the just judge, will reward me on that day; and not only me,
but all those who have longed for his glorious coming.
17
But the Lord was at my side, giving me strength to proclaim the Word
fully, and let all the pagans hear it. So I was rescued from the
lion's mouth.
18
The Lord will save me from all evil, bringing me to his heavenly
kingdom. Glory to him for ever and ever. Amen!
GOSPEL:
Matthew 16:
13 - 19
13
After that Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples,
"What do people say of the Son of Man? Who do they say I am?"
14
They said, "For some of them you are John the Baptist, for
others Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15
Jesus asked them, "But you, who do you say I am?"
16
Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living
God."
17
Jesus replied, "It is well for you, Simon Barjona, for it is not
flesh or blood that has revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.
18
And now I say to you: You are Peter (or Rock) and on this rock I will
build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it.
19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind
on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what you unbind on earth shall
be unbound in heaven."
