Word Wide Open: The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (C) - 6/29/25

First Reading (Acts 12:1-11)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them.

He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword,

and 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.

He intended 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 outside the door guards kept watch on the prison.

Suddenly the 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 your sandals.”

He did so.

Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.”

So he followed him out,

not realizing 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 to the city,

which opened for them by itself.

They emerged and made their way down an alley,

and suddenly the angel left him.

Then 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.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does God deliver us from those who persecute us?

Second Reading (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18)

A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy. 

I, Paul, 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.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How can we pour ourselves out for others like Paul?

Gospel (Matthew 16:13-19)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

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 Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What does it mean that Peter became the rock of the Church? What does the Pope do for us?

Word Wide Open: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (C) - 6/15/25

First Reading (Proverbs 8:22-31)

A reading from the Book of Proverbs.

 Thus says the wisdom of God:

            "The LORD possessed me, the beginning of his ways,

                        the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago;

            from of old I was poured forth,

                        at the first, before the earth.

            When there were no depths I was brought forth,

                        when there were no fountains or springs of water;

            before the mountains were settled into place,

                        before the hills, I was brought forth;

            while as yet the earth and fields were not made,

                        nor the first clods of the world.

            "When the Lord established the heavens I was there,

                        when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep;

            when he made firm the skies above,

                        when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth;

            when he set for the sea its limit,

                        so that the waters should not transgress his command;

            then was I beside him as his craftsman,

                        and I was his delight day by day,

            playing before him all the while,

                        playing on the surface of his earth;

                        and I found delight in the human race."

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why does God find delight in the human race?

Second Reading (Romans 5:1-5)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans. 

Brothers and sisters:

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have gained access by faith

to this grace in which we stand,

and we boast in hope of the glory of God.

Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions,

knowing that affliction produces endurance,

and endurance, proven character,

and proven character, hope,

and hope does not disappoint,

because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts

through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What does it mean to boast of our afflictions?

Gospel (John 16:12-15)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

Jesus said to his disciples:

"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.

But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,

he will guide you to all truth.

He will not speak on his own,

but he will speak what he hears,

and will declare to you the things that are coming.

He will glorify me,

because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.

Everything that the Father has is mine;

for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine

and declare it to you."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How would you describe each member of the Trinity? What are the things each member of the Trinity does for us?