SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL THE APOSTLES - Mass during the Day - Gospel (Mt 16:13-19)

“Simon Peter said in reply, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,’” (Mt 16;16)

FIRST READING - Acts 12:1-11

A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them.

He 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.–

He 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.

Peter thus was being kept in prison,

but prayer by the Church was fervently being made

to God on his behalf.

On 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.

Suddenly 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.

The 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.”

So he followed him out,

not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real;

he thought he was seeing a vision.

They 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.

Then 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 had been expecting.”

SECOND READING from the Second Letter to Timothy - 4:6-8, 17-18

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation,

and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have competed well; I have finished the race;

I have kept the faith.

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.

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.

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 OF THE DAY - 16:13-19

From the Gospel according to Matthew

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi

he asked his disciples,

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,

still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter said in reply,

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

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.

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.

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.”

SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL THE APOSTLES - Mass during the Day - Gospel (Mt 16:13-19)

Dear People of God,

Today, we celebrate the two apostles, Peter and Paul - two pillars of the Church. The Word of God today speaks about how each person must courageously proclaim his or her faith in God.

During His public ministry, Jesus Christ once asked His disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” This question is also posed to every Christian. Let us place our conscience before God and sincerely express our faith in Jesus Christ: Who is He to me? Is He the God of Love who came to earth to become a human being and save humanity? Or is He just an ordinary person - a teacher who performed miracles, or merely a prophet or messenger?

Saint Peter confessed his faith in Jesus Christ: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This confession did not come from Peter himself but was revealed to him by God through divine grace. It is a true and accurate declaration of who Jesus Christ is.

Why did God reveal this to Saint Peter?

It was because God had chosen and appointed Peter as the head of the Church. When Saint Peter - or any of his successors, prophets, or shepherds - are chosen and appointed by God to lead His people, they are always protected and sheltered by God from evil. We see this in the image of Saint Peter imprisoned in a dark cell. God sent His angel to free him, even though the iron gates remained locked. Through this, we come to understand that only God's power can make such things happen.

God shows everyone that He always sends angels to accompany, protect, shelter, and preserve Saint Peter, as well as all His chosen prophets who go out to preach the Gospel.

He also wants to assure all His followers that when faced with harassment or evil, we must trust that God is always with us - protecting, sheltering, and defending us from every evil spirit. But to receive God's protection, we must have absolute faith in His plan of salvation. We must recognize Him as a loving Father, fear Him alone, and live according to His teachings.

In addition to Saint Peter, the Church also honors another great apostle of the Gentiles: Saint Paul. He was chosen by God to be a pillar for all members of God's people, especially for the Gentiles who did not yet know the Father. Saint Paul was entrusted with the mission of bringing back the lost sheep to God. Through his preaching and way of life, the Gentiles came to know and receive God’s salvation.

Saint Paul had to contend with the evils of the world. He faced many trials and challenges and gave up everything to choose God - the same God he once persecuted. Paul had previously sought to arrest and kill followers of Christ, believing that their teachings contradicted the religion of his ancestors.

But God, in His divine wisdom, purifies those He chooses, so they can become useful instruments for His plan of salvation. Thus, Saint Paul was given the grace of conversion. He became a great saint and a pillar of God's redemptive mission, alongside Saint Peter.

God also revealed His Gospel to Saint Paul, allowing him to become one with the Mystical Body of Christ. Saint Paul shared the love of Jesus Christ crucified with the lost, leaving behind a shining example of unwavering faith. He fought a noble and righteous fight for the sake of Christ. Born and chosen to be an instrument of salvation, Saint Paul lived and died in the service of God.

Today, God’s Word invites all people - especially the apostles of this new era - to look to the heroic and steadfast examples of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Let us follow their courage in battling against the evils of the world, and in standing firm against Satan both within the Church and in society. At the end of our journey, may we, like them, gain the crown of glory, which is Jesus Christ Himself. To have Jesus Christ is the greatest reward anyone can receive.

Finally, today's Word of God invites each of us to proclaim our faith in the one true God - the God of Love who saves all humanity. Whoever abides in God will enjoy salvation, dwell in His house, and sit at His right hand in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

19:00 June 29th, 2025 - Prayer of Divine Mercy - The Way to Heaven