Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time  +  June 29, 2025

Acts 12:1-11; Psalm 34; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, :17-18: Matthew 16:13-19

 

The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear Him.

 

Today’s Mass readings can inspire in us greater confidence in God.  Each of the first three includes a situation that required a rescue, and it shows how God provided it.  The Gospel, in contrast, predicts future help for his Church against

spiritual enemies. However, you can be confident that He who rescues individuals can also rescue many people.

A delightful story in the first reading tells us of the miraculous release of Saint Peter from prison. An angel appeared in his cell and guided him silently past sleeping guards and through a gate that opened by itself!  Then, with confidence we hear St. Peter’s say: “now I know for certain that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me….”

St. Paul also had confidence in God’s unique love for him.  After enduring persecution, shipwreck, and imprisonment, St. Paul was still able to encourage his disciple, Timothy.  He wrote, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.”  Friends, you can be confident as well, for if this was true for St. Paul, it will be true for all of us who are following the Lord.

While we can experience situations that constrict our freedom, as did Saints Peter and Paul, we trust that they will work out for the best.

“I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears… When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him.” (Psalm 34.)  Notice how active the Lord is, on the poor one’s behalf:  the Lord… “answered, delivered, heard, [and] saved.”  He notices our difficulties, too.

In St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus told his disciples that the enemies of the Church, “the gates of the nether world,” shall not prevail against it.  We all have struggles, difficult days.  In various parts of the world, Christians are persecuted, religious freedom, an essential human right, is not yet granted to all.  Through everything, the Church will continue to do the work of God.  This week our bishops have spoken out about religious freedom; let us continue to pray and sacrifice, asking God to not only strengthen our confidence, but to be the source of strength and assurance for all those in need.

When the poor one called out, the Lord heard,

And from all his distress He saved him.