Gospel: June 29, 2026
June 29, 2026 (Monday)
Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul, Apostles
Psalter: Proper (Red)
Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
1st Reading: Acts 12:1-11
2nd Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19
After that, Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”They said, “For some of them, you are John the Baptist; for others Elijah, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
Jesus asked them, “But you, who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”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.
And now I say to you: You are Peter; and on this Rock I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.”
Reflection:
The Lord accepts us as we are.
Read: The Feast of the two great friends of the Lord recounts their lives and deeds. The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the persecution of early Christians. Peter was imprisoned and faced oppression from Herod. In the second reading, Paul wrote to Timothy while in prison, expressing gratitude for what God had accomplished in his life and for what he had done for the Lord. Both shared in Christ’s sufferings and, ultimately, in His death.
Reflect: What does this feast of two distinct individuals signify? The Lord can use us for the good of the Kingdom, even if we are not virtuous or differ from one another. He accepts us as we are and provides the grace necessary for us to become effective instruments in spreading the Gospel. Simultaneously, the lives of Peter and Paul remind us that as we follow the Lord, we will face difficulties, persecution, or even death. Yet, they also convey that it is only by remaining faithful to God, even amid challenges, that His will is fulfilled and His goodness is shared and experienced by others.
Pray: We ask Saints Peter and Paul to intercede for us.
Act: Share your skills or talents with your parish or community. Consider volunteering.
