Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 17 August 2025
First Reading: Jeremiah 38: 4-6, 8-10
So Ebed-melech left the king’s house and spoke to the king. (8)
Here, Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, interceded for the Prophet Jeremiah. Sometimes we may find support from unlikely sources. Sometimes, we may be called to be the “Ebed-melech” to others!
We ask the Lord to let us discern the opportunities or situations we may find ourselves in! We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in our mission. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 40: 2, 3, 4, 18
Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods. (4)
Amen!
Second Reading: Hebrews 12: 1-4
In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (4)
Jesus shed his precious blood for us sinners! We have been saved! Yet the devil tries to bog us down with his lies! Let us follow what St. Peter advised us in 1Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” This chapter (1Peter 5) lists down other important guidelines for spiritual warfare too! Let us read and be encouraged! We have a great “cloud of witnesses” before us, we can rely on their intercessions. Even in the midst of a trial, let us re-align our thoughts to the mighty warrior and triumphant God whom we serve.
In Jesus’ mighty and matchless name, Amen, Alleluia!
Alleluia: John 10: 27
Alleluia, Alleluia!!
My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.
Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 12: 49-53
From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. (52)
In the passage here, Jesus Christ predicts the state of this current fallen world! Where is it that we find the gravest and most grievous attacks coming from? – Mostly through our closest family! Yet we must not be surprised. Christ has seen the ugliest forms of attacks, spiritually during his earthly life and physically as he bore the wounds on the Cross!
Let us guard our hearts and strengthen our resolve like Jeremiah to seek, speak, and listen to the voice of our Shepherd; even if others around us won’t! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
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