Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 25 August 2024
First Reading: Joshua 24: 1-2a, 15-17, 18b
“Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (15)
Whom do we serve? -Let us decide, today! Let us recognize how we choose the gods of vanity, pride, arrogance, selfishness, lies, anger, sloth, timidity, etc. Let us shun these false gods and sanctify our hearts, now! -So that our worship and thanksgiving are acceptable to our One True and Eternal God! Let us live worthily in the land of the Lord’s pasture.
We ask this through the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 16-23
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (18)
The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. (22)
Alleluia, Amen!
Second Reading: Ephesians 5: 21-32
Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. (21-22)
In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (28)
St. Paul gives us instructions for the Christian household! If we have a reverence for Christ we will walk in this teaching! Yet, today we see Christian marriages under attack due to an ignorance of this precept. We must remember it is: “…being subject to ONE ANOTHER out of reverence for Christ.” (v.21) Neither one is superior or inferior to the other, but they are brought together by God to sanctify each other! To Love God, we must first Know God! To Know God we must first seek Him. To seek the Lord God, we must first humble ourselves! If today we have encountered the Lord and have seen His love; we are blessed.
One Bible Commentary explains that St. Paul tried to change the concept of inequality prevalent in his times 2000 years ago! Sadly, due to similar misconceptions and referencing out of context, this inequality still exists today. Therefore it’s all the more easier for the evil one to attack us!
Let us protect the Reverence for Christ in our Hearts First. The Angel of the marriage will protect us in Christ! Let us quote in full context and acknowledge what the Lord speaks to us truly.
We ask the Holy Spirit (our most reliable Therapist!) to grant us good counsel, through the intercession of Mother Mary. Amen.
Alleluia: John 6: 63c, 68c
Alleluia! Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. (68) Alleluia!
Gospel: John 6: 60-69
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (68-69)
On our behalf, St. Peter proclaimed these words of faith in Jesus Christ! Let us renew our faith and remain steadfast. We ask the Lord to grant us the grace and courage to practice our faith in obedience and humility!
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
