Daily readings

Monday, June 29, 2026

Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. Ordinary Time. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

CelebrationSaints Peter and Paul, Apostles

TypeSolemnity

SeasonOrdinary Time

Year2026 archive

The Roman Catholic readings for this date are shown below on-site. Use plain reading mode if you want clearer modern wording, or switch back to the original Douay-Rheims wording at any time.

Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

On-site scripture text: Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition. Plain mode is a built-in reading aid that modernizes older wording for easier understanding while keeping the same Roman Catholic reading references for the day.

1

First Reading

Acts 12:1-11

How to approach it

Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.

1And at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church.

2And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.

3And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of the Azymes.

4And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison, delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending, after the pasch, to bring him forth to the people.

5Peter therefore was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the church to God for him.

6And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7And look an angel of the Lord stood by him: and a light shined in the room: and he striking Peter on the side, raised him up, saying: Arise quickly. And the chains fell off from his hands.

8And the angel said to him: Gird yourself, and put on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him: Cast your clothing about you, and follow me.

9And going out, he followed him, and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel: but thought he saw a vision.

10And passing through the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which of itself opened to them. And going out, they passed on through one street: and immediately the angel departed from him.

11And Peter coming to himself, said: Now I know in very deed, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has rescued me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

2

Psalm

Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

How to pray it

The psalm is meant to be prayed, not rushed. If the wording feels older, focus on the main movement of the prayer: trust, praise, sorrow, gratitude, or hope.

2I will bless the Lord always, his praise shall be always in my mouth.

3In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the gentle hear and rejoice.

4OH magnify the Lord with me; and let us extol his name together.

5I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he rescued me from all my troubles.

6Come you to him and be enlightened: and your faces shall not be put to shame.

7This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him: and saved him out of all his troubles.

8The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them.

9OH taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the person who hopeth in him.

3

Second Reading

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

How to read it

This reading often teaches Christians how to live with steadiness, charity, and faith. Look for one clear encouragement or warning you can carry into the day.

6For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand.

7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

8As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming. Hurry to come to me quickly.

17But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching may be accomplished, and that all the Gentiles may hear: and I was rescued out of the mouth of the lion.

18The Lord has rescued me from every evil work: and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

4

Gospel

Matthew 16:13-19

What to watch for

The Gospel is the center of the reading set. Pay close attention to what Jesus says, what Jesus does, and what response he is asking for.

13And Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of Man is?

14But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15Jesus says to them: But whom do you say that I am?

16Simon Peter answered and said: You art Christ, the Son of the living God.

17And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art you, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

18And I say to you: That you art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you shall bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatever you shall loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

Source note

This page uses the Catholic Readings API for the day's references and liturgical celebration data, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible distributed through the Open Bibles project.