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SOLEMNITY OF SS. PETER & PAUL

PRAYER BEFORE MASS
Go before us O Lord, in this our sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, and grant that we say and sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and practice and show forth in our daily lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
PRAYER AFTER MASS
Bless, O Lord, our hearts and minds, and grant that as we leave Your house, we may continue to be aware of Your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. by Saint John Berchmans, Patron Saint of Altar Boys.

First Reading Act 12:1-11

Now I know the Lord really did saved me from Herod
King Herod started persecuting certain members of the Church. He beheaded James the brother of John, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he decided to arrest Peter as well. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread, and he put Peter in prison, assigning four squads of four soldiers each to guard him in turns. Herod meant to try Peter in public after the end of Passover week. All the time Peter was under guard the Church prayed to God for him unremittingly. 

On the night before Herod was to try him, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with double chains, while guards kept watch at the main entrance to the prison. Then suddenly the angel of the Lord stood there, and the cell was filled with light. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him. ‘Get up!’ he said ‘Hurry!’ – and the chains fell from his hands. The angel then said, ‘Put on your belt and sandals.’ After he had done this, the angel next said, ‘Wrap your cloak round you and follow me.’ Peter followed him, but had no idea that what the angel did was all happening in reality; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed through two guard posts one after the other, and reached the iron gate leading to the city. This opened of its own accord; they went through it and had walked the whole length of one street when suddenly the angel left him. It was only then that Peter came to himself. ‘Now I know it is all true’ he said. ‘The Lord really did send his angel and has saved me from Herod and from all that the Jewish people were so certain would happen to me.’

Responsorial Psalm
The angel of the Lord rescues those who revere him

Second Reading  2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18

All there is to come is the crown of righteousness reserved for me
My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing. 

The Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.
And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
Alleluia!  Matt. 16:18

Gospel    Matt. 16:13-19

You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’

Heavenly Father thank you for fulfiling your promise of salvation through the coming of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ.  His bride the Church was built upon by two mortal men Peter and Paul knowing they were human but weak. His promise of Holy Spirit was upon them to guide them.

Lord Jesus Christ Peter and Paul were two great men, the Pilars upon which our Catholic faith was built. The mystery of God's love upon humanity was revealed in you Lord Jesus Christ.  Your WORD  Lord Jesus Christ that 'the Gates of the underworld can never hold against it' is fulfiled.  

The Church experienced many trials because you have entrusted it to your Apostles though imperfect, you made them perfect through trials. Men and women died to preserve the faith. The Church was built upon the blood of Martyrs for you Lord  Jesus Christ died for our salvation, you shed your Precious Blood to redeem us.  Man is not perfect, but in striving to do your will, you bring into perfection man's efforts.  Be with me Lord Jesus Christ, may your Holy Spirit direct me in my spiritual journey, increase  my faith Lord.  

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church  pray for us.  Saint Joseph pray for us. Saints Peter and Paul pray for us. 

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