1ST READING - Acts 12:1-11
1 In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, 3 and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also. It was the feast of Unleavened Bread. 4 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. 5 Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the church was fervently being made to God on his behalf. 6 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. 7 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. 8 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.” 9 So he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 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.
P S A L M - Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R: The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
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 - 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 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.”
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WHO AM I?
Today, the Church celebrates two of Her well-known Apostles, Peter and Paul. Both had their own ways of proclaiming the Gospel: Paul to the Gentiles and Peter to the Jews. But now in heaven they are united in interceding for us to carry on the Gospel that they once proclaimed. One can visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and be welcomed by the imposing statue of the Apostle to the Gentiles. One can visit the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican City and be mesmerized by its awesome structure leading us to the heavens. Paul is symbolized holding the Gospel, Peter the keys.
Today’s Gospel reminds us of the mission entrusted to Peter through his faith in Jesus. Peter, influenced by the Holy Spirit, recognizes Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He holds the keys to open or shut the door to the Kingdom. A key is very important to access a room or some place. Peter has been entrusted this authority to bind and loose on earth the matters that determine our faith. Paul has left us a legacy of wealth in his writings to the early faith communities. He teaches us to live the Gospel.
We notice that the question posed by Jesus to Peter is the same one that He asks of us. Peter is inspired by the Holy Spirit. What is our response? Blessed John Paul II once said that Christ is the answer. But what is the question? You will notice that Christ is the answer to any questions that we will ask. He is the Redeemer, Savior, Healer, Lord, the Son of the Living God. I believe that the answer we give to the question, “Who am I?” will change according to our need in any given circumstance. At times, He will be Healer, at other times our Reconciliation; at times, He will be Friend, and other times He will be Savior. At all times, the Holy Spirit will inspire us to give an expression of our faith to Him who is the Christ. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL
REFLECTION QUESTION: Who is Jesus for you at this time of your life?
God of my faith, I acknowledge You and believe that You are the One who saves me. You forgive me and walk with me in my journey of faith. Amen.
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