Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18, Psalm 34:2-9, Matthew 16:13-19

FEAST OF STS. PETER AND PAUL

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18, Psalm 34:2-9, Matthew 16:13-19

Acts 12:1-11

My Beloved, we too are living in an age when many groups of people with influence persecute members of Your Body, the Church because it pleases the crowd.  The greater the persecution of Christians the greater the silence that deafens.  

King Herod represents all governments of all nations that accuse Your Church of being repressive and regressive because she does not condone the popular sins of the world.  She refuses to become an accomplice to lies and  half truths that call life death and sin virtue.  So like James the first Apostle to be martyred many of her members are killed in the most brutal ways imaginable and many like St. Peter are imprisoned and tortured for believing the Truth, walking in the Way and preaching Life.  But this we know that You are Emmanuel, God with us.  You have put angels in charge of us and even though we are imprisoned we are  freer than the sinner who is bound by sin.

Thank You Lord for calling us out of the darkness and mire of sin into  Your own marvelous light.

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

My Beloved, St Paul sums up perfectly the joy and conviction of every faithful Christian who has lived the faith with courage in season and out of season.  Who has not been ashamed or afraid of preaching the Gospel in the public arena by the witness of their life in word and deed.  They expect no reward on earth but they know a crown awaits them in heaven.

The certainty that You are at our side is always comforting.  The food You provide at every Eucharist gives us the grace and strength we need to persevere.  The knowledge that God Himself protects and guards us makes us invincible.  We are the children of the Father and the Kingdom of Heaven is ours.  We are pilgrims on earth our home is with You.

Psalm 34:2-9

Thank You my Beloved for putting angels in charge of us so we will always be safe from the enemy.  Thank You for the privilege of literally tasting Your goodness each time we receive You in the Holy Eucharist.  Thank You for the shelter that is ours in Your Sacred Heart.  This is why we exult as we praise and glorify You.  Thank You for delivering us from all our fears and anxieties.  You are indeed a great and glorious God!

Matthew 16:13-19

My Beloved, You appeared several time to the Eleven and to St. Paul as well as proof of Your Resurrection.  Strengthen our faith, melt our stubbornness of heart that we might carry out the mission entrusted to Peter and the Apostles and handed down to all Your disciples.

We are called to go out into the world strengthened by You in the Holy Eucharist and we are called to proclaim the Good News of salvation.  We are called to be light and salt in the world.  We are called to teach, preach, counsel, lay hands, pray and heal.  We are called to by Your sign in the world.  We have received Your Holy Spirit in baptism and we have been commissioned by Him in Confirmation.  Now, as we go out in Your Name help us to be bold and fill us with courage to shine Your Light of Truth in the world.