St. Leo II

Pope, Confessor

July 3

Epistle  •  1 Peter 5:1-4, 10-11

[Christ is the model for the Popes. The Pope directs the Church with love and according to the will of God.]

Dearly beloved, The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech, who am myself also an ancient, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ: as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come: feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre’s sake, but voluntarily: neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart. And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you. To Him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel  •  Matthew 16:13-19

  Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

[Peter’s confession of the Godhead of Christ. He is declared by Our Lord to be the Rock on which the Church rests securely.]

At that time, Jesus came into the quarters of Cæsarea Philippi, and He asked His disciples saying: Whom do men say the Son of Man is? But they said: Some, John the Baptist, and other some, Elias, and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered, and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to them: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona, because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father who is in Heaven: and I say to thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and to thee I will give the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven.

Epistle & Gospel of the Day