Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Catholic Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Sunday, 29 June 2014Meditations: 2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
17 But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Saints and Peter and Paul, Apostles
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. (2 Timothy 4:18)
Wait a minute! This passage sounds a lot like today’s psalm: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:8). It shouldn’t surprise us, though. One thing Paul became very good at was taking a truth from Scripture and reworking it so that it reflected his experience. This is precisely what he did in today’s passage. Reflecting on his many years of preaching the gospel, he knew that even then, as his life was drawing to a close, God would continue to fulfill the promise proclaimed in this psalm.
Of course, this is not a magic formula. We can’t make God do something just by saying the right words. But it’s a very effective technique that saints through the ages have used to lift their hearts and minds to God.
Try this experiment. Take a Scripture verse that touches on something you’re experiencing, and then proclaim it throughout the day.
Does the beauty of the sunrise take your breath away? “The heavens declare the glory of God!” (Psalm 19:1). Going to confession? “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures forever!” (Psalm 136:1). Looking for motivation? “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me!” (Philippians 4:13). Preparing to take your spouse on a date? “They are no longer two, but one flesh” (Matthew 19:6). The possibilities are as broad and deep as the Scriptures themselves!
Proclaiming Scripture in this way can provide a springboard for meditation. It can draw your attention upward to heaven. It can give you a new perspective and lift your attitude. Most of all, it can help reshape your thoughts and bring you more in line with the mind of God.
“Heavenly Father, thank you for your word! Help me to proclaim it through my day so that I can keep my mind and heart close to you!” Amen.
Acts 12:1 Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly. 2 He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread. 4 When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. 5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him. 6 The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.
7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, “Stand up quickly!” His chains fell off from his hands. 8 The angel said to him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” He did so. He said to him, “Put on your cloak, and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.”
Psalm 34:2 My soul shall boast in Yahweh.
The humble shall hear of it, and be glad.
3 Oh magnify Yahweh with me.
Let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought Yahweh, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to him, and were radiant.
Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
6 This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 Yahweh’s angel encamps around those who fear him,
and delivers them.
8 Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints,
for there is no lack with those who fear him.
Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 I also tell you that you are Peter,[Matthew 16:18 Peter’s name, Petros in Greek, is the word for a specific rock or stone.] and on this rock[Matthew 16:18 Greek, petra, a rock mass or bedrock.] I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades[Matthew 16:18 or, Hell] will not prevail against it. 19 I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion:
(Acts 12:1 Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly. 2 He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread. 4 When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. 5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him. 6 The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.
7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, “Stand up quickly!” His chains fell off from his hands. 8 The angel said to him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” He did so. He said to him, “Put on your cloak, and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.”
Psalm 34:2 My soul shall boast in Yahweh.
The humble shall hear of it, and be glad.
3 Oh magnify Yahweh with me.
Let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought Yahweh, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to him, and were radiant.
Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
6 This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 Yahweh’s angel encamps around those who fear him,
and delivers them.
8 Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints,
for there is no lack with those who fear him.
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
17 But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 I also tell you that you are Peter,[Matthew 16:18 Peter’s name, Petros in Greek, is the word for a specific rock or stone.] and on this rock[Matthew 16:18 Greek, petra, a rock mass or bedrock.] I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades[Matthew 16:18 or, Hell] will not prevail against it. 19 I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.”)
1. The first reading concludes with these words of Peter, after he is rescued from prison by an angel of the Lord: “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 were expecting.” How strong is your faith that the Lord will rescue you from current or future difficult situations? Was there ever a time when your own faith and trust in the Lord was able to sustain you during a difficult time?
2. The responsorial psalm speaks of being delivered from fears, shame, and distress. It also speaks of fearing, praising, and glorifying the Lord. How would you compare the amount of time you spend worrying and getting anxious about your circumstances versus spending time in prayer praising and glorifying the Lord? What steps can you take to strengthen your prayer life by spending more time praising and glorifying the Lord?
3. In the second reading, St. Paul says the following: “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” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). How important is it for you to finish well the “race” God has given you? Is their more you can be doing to compete well and finish the race?
4. In the Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples who people say that he is. Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus goes on to say that his heavenly Father has revealed this to Peter. In what way has your heavenly Father revealed this truth to you? How has it impacted your life?
5. The meditation asks us to step out in faith with these words: “Try this experiment. Take a Scripture verse that touches on something you’re experiencing, and then proclaim it throughout the day.” What do you expect to happen as you “Try this Experiment”?
6. Take some time now to pray and ask for the grace to be able to proclaim God’s words throughout your day. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
“Heavenly Father, thank you for your word! Help me to proclaim it through my day so that I can keep my mind and heart close to you!” Amen.
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