Texts taken from the Missal “On Your Word” May-June 2022
Saints Peter and Paul, apostles (solemnity)
proper texts
At the Evening Mass of the Vigil
FIRST READING
From the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 3:1-10)
In those days, Peter and John were going up to the temple for the prayer at three in the afternoon. A man crippled from birth was being carried in. They used to place him every day at the temple gate called the Beautiful Gate to beg from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk!” Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong. He leaped up, stood, and began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and jumping about and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with amazement and astonishment at what had happened to him. - The word of the Lord.
SECOND READING
From the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Gal 1:11-20)
Brothers and sisters, I assure you that the Gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; rather, I went to Arabia and then returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas and remained with him for fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the Apostles, only James the brother of the Lord. In what I have written to you, behold, before God, I am not lying. - The word of the Lord.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to John (Jn 21:15-19)
[After he had been revealed as risen to his disciples,] when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” - The word of the Lord.
At the Mass during the Day
FIRST READING
From the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 12:1-11)
In those days, King Herod began to harass some members of the Church. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword. 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, intending 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 guards before the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly, an 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 fasten your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, although he did not realize 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 into the city, which opened for them by itself. They emerged and went down an alley, and suddenly the angel left him. 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.” - The word of the Lord.
Commentary on the First Reading
Peter has a fundamental role in the life of the first Christian community. For this reason, the Church’s prayer rises for its shepherd at a critical moment such as his arrest and imprisonment. The unanimous prayer of Christians clearly highlights the intimate union of the members of the Church with the head of the college of apostles. Peter is in danger, and God sends his angel to free him: no one can deter God from his will to save through the proclamation of salvation for all. When God decides on salvation and redemption, nothing and no one can imprison the word of God or prevent it from advancing. We need only trust in him and not withdraw from his provident hand. We too need to be freed from the evil we carry within, through grace, by the angel of life and resurrection. Let us pray to the Lord that, just as he sent his angels to free Peter from the chains of physical imprisonment, he may send his angels to free us from the imprisonment of our selfishness so that we may become credible proclaimers of the Gospel.
SECOND READING
From the Second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18)
My son, I 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. - The word of the Lord.
Commentary on the Second Reading
Before suffering martyrdom, Paul speaks truly moving words. They sound like a testament and contain great wisdom. The perspective, the background of Paul’s reasoning, is perfect communion with Christ; he knows that his life leads to death, but death is not an interruption along the way: it is the destination, the goal, the eternal kingdom. Speaking of his existence, from the moment he was converted and called, Paul uses terms that describe it as a journey, as a reality in motion. The battle that lasted a lifetime has been fought, and Paul has preserved the only thing that matters: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the basis and foundation of his existence. Faith is the only wealth we can take with us. Now Paul awaits the crowning of life, the manifestation of eternal life. This perspective is beautiful because it embraces Paul’s entire existence. It takes account of the past: the battle; it does not overlook the present: the faith preserved; it awaits the future: the crown of Christ’s glory. We too need to look at the individual moments of our lives as aspects of a mysterious unity.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 16:13-19)
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.” - The word of the Lord.
Commentary on the Gospel of the Day
Peter’s answer suggests that, despite all the limitations of his character and impetuous personality, he is able to hear the Father’s voice. His response is not a natural intuition or human knowledge, but a gift from the Father. Obviously, he does not yet fully understand the meaning of the words he has just spoken; nevertheless, this is enough for Jesus to solemnly proclaim, before the other apostles, his role as leader. This role is confirmed by the power of the keys. This is not arbitrary power, but means admitting into communion with the Father those who seek God with sincere hearts, while also excluding those who place themselves outside this communion. The Church will survive the passage of time and remain steadfast against all assaults of evil because it is firmly anchored in Peter and in the strength of his testimony of faith. Peter, that is, by express divine will, can administer the immense treasure of grace given by Jesus to the Church, presenting and offering it to the world with authority. You too receive this grace when you approach the sacraments: give thanks to the Lord, who chose to entrust a human being with bringing such a great gift to all other human beings.
