THE GOSPEL
Matthew 16:13-19But who do you say that I am?
You ask us,
“Who do you say I am?”
You are not asking only who the structure of the Church says you are,
or what others have heard, or what the catechism says,
but in accord with those, whom each of us say
you are in our hearts.
Help us say it,
with mouths speaking justice for the poor,
with feet trudging to those in need,
hands picking up our crosses,
and trust shattering fear.
O Lord, with hearts
loving you and
others in
you,
and do it.
THE FIRST READING
Acts 12:1-11
But prayer by the Church was fervently
being made to God on his behalf.
Peter,
secured by double chains
and sleeping between two soldiers,
was rescued by an angel.
Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan,
Immigrants, the starving and unhoused,
all those suffering from
discrimination and
gun violence
need to be
rescued by your angels.
Together,
we beg you, Lord,
rescue them..
and let us
help.
THE SECOND READING
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
The Lord stood by me and gave me strength
Help us remember
that you,
Lord,
are our
constant companion,
always giving us the strength
we need to finish the tasks
you ask of us
here on
earth.