Confession of Saint Peter, January 18

Collect:
Almighty Father, who didst inspired Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep thy Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Acts 4:8-13
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is

"'the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the capstone.'

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Second Lesson: 1 Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Psalm: 23

1. The LORD is my shepherd; *
   I shall not be in want.
2. He makes me lie down in green pastures *
   and leads me beside still waters.
3. He revives my soul *
   and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
   I shall fear no evil; *
   for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5. You spread a table before me in the presence of those
   who trouble me; *
   you have anointed my head with oil,
   and my cup is running over.
6. Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
   of my life, *
   and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Collect & Psalm from the Book of Common Prayer
Other excerpts from the New International Bible

Holy Days