DAILY- HOMILY

June 29, 2015 MONDAY, 13TH Week in Ordinary Time

Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles

Solemnity, Red    

Vigil:   Acts 3: 1 – 10 / Gal 1: 11 – 20 / Jn 21: 15 - 19

Day:   Acts 12: 1 - 11 / 2 Tm 4: 6 - 8, 17 – 18 / Mt 16: 13 -19

From the Gospel Reading for the Vigil: Jn 21: 15  - 17   

     Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." And Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." . . .

     And a third time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was saddened because Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he answered, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."  Jesus then said, "Feed my sheep."

First Reading: Acts 12: 1 – 11

     About that time King Herod decided to persecute some members of the Church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword, and when he saw how it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.

     This happened during the festival of the Unleavened Bread. Herod had him seized and thrown into prison with four squads, each of four soldiers, to guard him. He wanted to bring him to trial before the people after the Passover feast, but while Peter was kept in prison, the whole Church prayed earnestly for him.

     On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound by a double chain, while guards kept watch at the gate of the prison.

     Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there and a light shone in the prison cell. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him saying, "Get up quickly!" At once the chains fell from Peter's wrists. The angel said, "Put on your belt and your sandals." Peter did so, and the angel added, "Now, put on your cloak and follow me."

     Peter followed him out; yet he did not realize that what was happening with the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first guard and then the second and they came to the iron door leading out to the city, which opened of itself for them. They went out and made their way down a narrow alley, when suddenly the angel left him.

     Then Peter recovered his senses and said, "Now I know that the Lord has sent his angel and has rescued me from Herod's clutches and from all that the Jews had in store for me."

Second Reading: 2 Tm 4: 6 - 8, 17 – 18

     As for me, I am already poured out as a libation, and the moment of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness with which the Lord, the just judge, will reward me on that day; and not only me, but all those who have longed for his glorious coming.

     But the Lord was at my side, giving me strength to proclaim the Word fully, and let all the pagans hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will save me from all evil, bringing me to his heavenly kingdom. Glory to him for ever and ever. Amen!

Gospel: Mt 16:13  - 19   

     After that Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, "What do people say of the Son of Man?  Who do they say I am?" 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 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 (or Rock) 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 Church celebrates the lives of Sts. Peter and Paul, the great pillars and apostles of the Church: Peter on whom the Church was founded and Paul the great Apostle to the Gentiles. They represent the faith of the Church, holy yet always in need of God's healing grace. The Church is holy because God who gathers us into community is holy. Yet, as a community deeply immersed in the world, we are constantly in need of purification from God.

     In the post-resurrection scene in the Gospel reading for the Vigil, Jesus appears to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee. Jesus invites them to a breakfast he had prepared, including their miraculous catch of fish.

     Despite his triple denial during the trial of Jesus, Peter is confirmed as head of the Church, as the rock on which the Church of Christ is founded. Three times Peter is asked, "Do you love me?" Three times Peter affirms his love, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." "Lord, you know everything; you know I love you." Jesus gives him his mission, "Feed my lambs," "Look after my sheep." "Feed my sheep. Follow me."

     Peter realizes how Jesus was calling him back into his fold, his love and trust. He hears the Master's comforting voice once again, "Truly, I say to you, when you were young you put your belt and walked where you liked. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will put a belt around you and lead you where you do not wish to go." The evangelist added, "Jesus said this to make known the kind of death by which Peter was to glorify God."

     In similar fashion Jesus comes to us in moments and places we least expect. His presence is most felt and his call most audible when we need him, when we are most vulnerable, even when we are at times sinful. These come as perfect  opportunities for his healing love to be felt by us.

     Such are his presence and call that, like Peter or Paul, we simply drop everything when we hear his gentle and loving call. He said that he came not for the righteous but for sinners and for those in need of healing, like we are. He is after all the God of the broken.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     KENNETH L. YAO

     RODY G. BAGABALDO

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     NATIONAL ARTIST PERLA D. SANTOS-OCAMPO

     MARY ELIZABETH L. YU (OCT 30, 1935 – JUN 29, 1999)

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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