An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - June 29, 2025
“And So I Say To You Peter, And Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church”
This Sunday, we celebrate the lives of Saints Peter and Paul. Both holy men are considered the foundation pillars of the early Church, preaching to both Jewish Christians and Gentiles. While Paul is most known for his work among the Gentiles and Peter is mostly known for his preaching to Jews and Jewish Christians, they both preached to everyone and anyone who would listen. Peter was the first apostle to convert and baptize a Gentile, the Centurian named Cornelius and his entire household (Acts 10).
In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (12:1-11), we hear the story of how King Herod Agrippa I arrested St. Peter and put him in prison under heavy guard with plans to execute him after the Passover had concluded. In the middle of the night, God sent an angel to free Peter and deliver him to safety. After he had been freed, Peter 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.”
In our Epistle Reading (2 Timothy: 6-8,17-18), St. Paul writes from his prison cell in Rome to his protégé’ Timothy. It is, in a sense, a final exhortation and testament to the person who would replace Paul and continue his ministry. Paul is anticipating that his end is near and writes, “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.”
In our Gospel reading (Matthew 16:13-19), Jesus asks His apostles “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” It is Peter who answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus ascribes this confession as a direct revelation from His Father in heaven and installs Peter as the rock upon which He will build His Church. Jesus gives him the authority to “bind and loose” which the Church interprets today as the authority of the Magisterium, the authority of the Pope.
One of the most important aspects of this feast day is that the ministry and mission of both Sts. Peter and Paul continued to flourish under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Both Peter and Paul were imprisoned in Rome and executed around the same time around 67 AD. But their disciples stayed in Rome and Rome became the seat of leadership in the Church.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062925.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - June 22, 2025
“This Is My Body That Is For You. Do This In Remembrance Of Me”
This Sunday, we celebrate the everlasting gift Jesus gave to us at the Last Supper so that He could physically dwell within us. Our readings this Sunday offer two events that prefigure the Holy Eucharist - one Old Testament (Melchizedek) and one New Testament (the feeding of the five thousand). Also, our Epistle reading by St. Paul, is the earliest written account of the institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper.
Our first reading is from the Book of Genesis (Gn 14:18-20). It is an account of Abram’s successful battle with four kings in order to rescue his nephew Lot from captivity. To celebrate the success, Melchizedek, the priest / king of Salem (later to become Jerusalem) offered a sacrifice of bread and wine. Melchizedek is seen as a prefiguring of Christ and the Eucharist. You may have heard the term, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
In our Epistle reading of St. Paul (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), we hear the first recorded account of the institution of the Holy Eucharist by Jesus at the Last Supper. Saint Paul describes for us the words Jesus used and how the practice of the Eucharistic meal has been handed on to us. This was Jesus’ gift of Himself to us, to ensure that He would always be really and substantially present to us—in His body, blood, soul and divinity. These very words are often heard in the sacrifice of the Mass.
In our Gospel reading (Luke 9:11B-17), we hear St. Luke’s account of the feeding of the five thousand. Luke tells us of Jesus’ compassion and love for the people. In these words of Jesus, we hear another prefiguring of the Holy Eucharist, “looking up to heaven, He said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied.”
The Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the Eucharist, like any blessing, can be taken for granted and even at times, seem routine. How often do we ponder the awesome gift and blessing there is in this Communion with God? How often do we give thought to the real, true presence of Jesus entering into and nourishing our bodies and our souls? Today’s readings and liturgy should give us a reminder to always follow Jesus’ command: “Do this in remembrance of me”.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062225.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - June 15, 2025
“When The Lord Established The Heavens, I Was There”
This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The thing about mysteries is that they are mysterious and unknowable within the limits of
our human understanding.
Many Catholics invoke this mystery multiple times a day in blessing themselves, ”In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit....”, yet we rarely give thought to its importance. Our readings for today give us a glimpse into this mystery of who is the Holy Trinity - three distinct persons in one God.
In our first reading from the book of Proverbs (Prov 8:22-31), we hear of the mysterious creature Wisdom, who was there with God before the beginning of creation. Today’s passage calls to mind the opening of the Gospel according to John, referring to Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without Him nothing came to be. ” (John 1:1-3)
In our Epistle reading (Romans 5:1-5), St. Paul explains the fruits of our relationship with the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the outflowing of the perfect love between the Father and the Son. It is through this unity and through the gift of faith that we receive pardon for our sins (justification) and peace in our lives. Paul gives us a clearer understanding so that we can “even boast of our afflictions”. This is an opportunity to unite our sufferings with Christ and thus be strengthened by it.
Our Gospel reading (John 13:12-15) is another excerpt from Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples at the last supper. Jesus was preparing them for the days to come within the limits of their capacity to understand. When the Spirit comes, “he will guide you to all truth.” In this brief passage we find references to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
By our human nature, God has given us the desire to seek and to understand the unknowable and to come closer in relationship to our Creator. It is the Holy Spirit and the presence of Jesus that draws us closer to the Father. We find this presence in no greater place and in no greater measure than in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist. Through it, we become one with God.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061525.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - June 8, 2025
“The Advocate, The Holy Spirit . . . Will Teach You Everything”
Today is the Feast of Pentecost.
It commemorates the coming down of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus. The original Pentecost feast (Shavuot) commemorated the day that the first fruits of the harvest were brought to the temple. It also commemorated the day God gave the Torah to the people of Israel. It is now also the day the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples to enlighten them and remind them of all that Jesus taught them.
Our first reading (Acts 2:1-11) tells the story vividly. Ten days after Jesus had been taken up to heaven, the disciples were celebrating the harvest festival of Pentecost. Jerusalem was filled with “devout Jews from every nation under heaven . . . Both Jews and converts to Judaism”. “And suddenly, there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind ....“. They were instantly enlightened and empowered and were given the grace to speak in tongues, so that everyone could understand them.
In our Epistle reading (1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13), St. Paul explains the many different spiritual gifts and forms of service that come from the same Holy Spirit. Each of us are called in some unique way by the Spirit to do God’s will and God’s work. Together, though we are many parts, we make up on body, the body of Christ, His Church.
In our Gospel reading (John 14:15-16, 23-26), Jesus, at the last supper, promised His disciples that the Father would send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, and He would teach them everything; and Jesus, with the Holy Spirit, will come and make their dwelling with them. This promise is given to all those who love Jesus and keep His commandments (including us).
We have been reading in the Acts of the Apostles all during this Easter season of the “mighty deeds and wonders” performed by the Apostles and disciples of Christ. We also have heard of their incredible bravery and even joy in the face of terrible persecutions and martyrdom. All of this happened because of the gifts and graces given to them by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Could the Holy Spirit, would the Holy Spirit give these same gifts to us? Would accept them?
It starts with loving Jesus and keeping His word.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060825.cfm
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - June 1, 2025
“Amen! Come, Lord Jesus”
As we look forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (next Sunday), our readings today are a series of last words. We hear the last words of St. Stephen as he was stoned to death, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
We hear the last words of St. John at the end of the Book of Revelation as he awaits the second coming of our Lord, “Amen! Come Lord Jesus!”; and we hear the very last words Jesus spoke to His disciples before going out into the night to His arrest and crucifixion, known as the High Priestly Prayer.
In our first reading (Acts 7:55-60), we hear of the first recorded martyr for Christ, St. Stephen, the Deacon. He was arrested for working “great signs and wonders among the people” and for speaking in Christ’s name. He was stoned to death as a blasphemer, even as he called out to God to forgive them. In his death as in his life, he was the ultimate model of Christ.
Our second reading (Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20) is from the very end of the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. John tells of the second coming of Christ, who is the beginning and the end. In a series of “I AM” statements, Christ tells us who He is and that He is coming soon.
Our Gospel reading (John 17:20-26) is taken from the climax of Jesus’ farewell discourse at the Last Supper. It is sometimes called the High Priestly Prayer, as Jesus turned His attention to His Father. He prayed an intercessory prayer for His disciples and for those who would come to believe through them. These were the last words spoken by Jesus before He went out to the Garden of Gethsemane. His prayer is for unity, that all may be one, even as Jesus and the Father are one, and that they may believe that the Father sent Him.
As we look forward to and await the coming of the Lord when our world, as we know it, will end, we sometimes can get the idea that Jesus has not yet come. The end times is Jesus’ final coming, when He will bring ”the recompense to each according to his deeds.” But it is not His only coming. He came to us a humble, defenseless infant at His birth in a manger; and He came to us at Pentecost in the person of His Holy Spirit. He came to us on the cross as He gave His very life for our salvation. He comes to us every day in the Eucharist; and He comes to us every time we call upon Him in need. “Amen! Come Lord Jesus!”
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060125.cfm
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - May 25, 2025
“Peace I Leave With You; My Peace I Give To You”
Our readings this Sunday give us a glimpse into the past, present, and the future of our faith and our salvation. The past is the struggles our early Church leaders went through in unifying their fledgling communities of love. The present is Jesus’ dual gifts of His Spirit to guide us and His blessed peace to sustain us. The future is John’s vision of the New Jerusalem to come that will be like a massive fortress, gleaming with the splendor of God and basking in the light of the Lamb.
In our first reading (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29), we hear of Paul and Barnabas’ great success in converting many Gentiles as disciples. But not without controversy, because many in Jerusalem expected the new converts to conform to all Jewish laws and customs, including circumcision. A Council in Jerusalem, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, settled the matter. This was the first of many ‘Ecumenical Councils’ that would be called to settle matters of Church doctrine and morality. The most recent was the Second Vatican Council that met from 1962 to 1965.
In our second reading (Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23), St. John describes what the New Jerusalem will look like in symbolic terms that the Jews of his day would have understood. Despite their current trials, they had something to look forward to.
In our Gospel reading (John 14:23-29), we continue to hear from Jesus’ farewell address to His disciples at the Last Supper. Here, Jesus gave them two gifts that would guide them and sustain them in their difficult days ahead. The “Advocate” is the Spirit of love shared between the Father and the Son and will be their teacher and guide; and the “Peace” Jesus left with them would comfort and sustain them like nothing the world had ever seen.
Our faith not only has a past and a present, but it has a future. No matter how dire our past has been or our present seems, our future is what God has planned for us. Our future is the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven, where every tear shall be wiped away and God Himself will provide the radiance and the light to warm us. In the meantime, we have the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us and the Peace of Christ to sustain us. Ours is to believe it, and prepare our souls to receive it.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052525.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - December 25
“AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US”
Our readings for Christmas Mass at night draw a direct connection between what Isaiah prophesied more than 500
years before Christ was born and what took place that Christmas night when the prophesy was fulfilled in all its humble glory.
In our first reading (Isaiah 9:1-6), we hear the prophesy of Isaiah that is proclaimed every Christmas Eve night - God's own Son will come to deliver us. "For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.”
In our Epistle (Titus 2:11-14), St. Paul leads us to remember that Christ promised to come again and will deliver us from all lawlessness. Paul teaches us how to live while we await the return of Jesus our Savior. “The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ.”
Our Gospel reading (Luke 2:1-14) is the account of Jesus' humble birth as Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census of the house of David. The first to bear witness were the lowly shepherds from the surrounding hillsides.
The birth of the Jesus the Messiah was not just something that happened a long time ago. It was an event foretold for centuries and awaited fervently by the people of Israel. From the moment of Jesus' birth to his tragic death and triumphant resurrection, he was the embodiment of humility, patience, and love. It is how he calls us to live "temperately, justly and devoutly in this age as we await the blessed hope."
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523-night.cfm
Click 'Read more' for the reflection on the Christmas Day readings.