June 29th, 2004.

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles, Vigil Mass.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Peter and John were going up to the temple area for the 3 o'clock hour of prayer.

And a man crippled from birth was carried and placed at the gate of the temple

called the beautiful gate, every day to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple.

When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. But Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said,

Look at us. He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said,

I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you, in the name of Jesus Christ

the Nazarean, rise and walk.

Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles

grew strong.

He leaped up, stood and walked around, and went into the temple

with them, walking and jumping and praising God. When all the people saw the man walking and praising

God, they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the beautiful gate of the temple,

and they were filled with amazement and astonishment at what had happened to him.

The Word of the Lord.

The Lord Their message goes out through all the earth. Their message goes up through all the earth.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day pours out the word today,

A night to night imparts knowledge

Their message goes up through all the gods.

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