SUNDAY (June 28, 2020)
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gospel Sentence
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39)
Reading
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And 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. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”” (Matthew 16:13–19)
Meditation
Peter, bold and impetuous, confesses Jesus as Christ and Lord. Later, this boldness would slide into cowardice and his impetuousness would become a source of denying these words he has just spoken—not once but three times! And still, the Church’s foundation is built upon the rock of Peter’s confession, revealed to Peter by the Father.
Silence
Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Let your grace be upon Ben, O Lord, and teach him to hope in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of the Week
Almighty God, by the working of Your Holy Spirit, grant that we may gladly hear Your Word proclaimed among us and follow its directing; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer