SOCL, 21C

Sunday August 24, 2025

See

For a long time, Western Christianity was marked by a deep pessimism. Most were surely going to hell! In sum, we seem to have moved from clarity and pessimism to agnosticism and optimism. A necessary rebalancing, of course, but with the attendant risk of complacency, convinced as we are, and ought to be, of God’s boundless mercy, love and compassion. These gifts, on the other hand, should not trigger a kind of lazy confidence but should invite even greater engagement, commitment and costly discipleship. God desires the whole person, all that I am.

Listen

Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117 (116); Hebrews 12:5-7; Luke 13:22-30

Reflect

(Luke 13: 22-30)

The question put to Jesus is one that many still ask: “Will many be saved?” In his answer Jesus is not concerned about numbers but warns his listeners about complacency. Just as his listeners could not regard the mere fact of being Jews as sufficient for salvation, neither can we regard being Christians as enough. That entitlement will come from our acceptance of Jesus. For any relationship to be alive – either with god or with another human person – the real question is “Is my heart in this relationship?” What does your experience tell you of this?

“Strive to enter by the narrow door”. Jesus himself is on his journey to Jerusalem, purposeful and determined. True followers of him will also be purposeful and determined. That is true in any journey, career, or relationship if there is to be growth or progress. What it is like for you when you fail to do this? What is it like for you when the effort is there?

Pray

To the banquet of your kingdom, O God of the nations, you have invited people of every race and tongue. May all who are called to a place at your table come, by the narrow way, to the unending feast of life. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Word today, 21C

August 25 - August 30, 2025

Monday 25 August

St Louis; St Joseph of Calasanz, priest

For the next week and half or so, we hear from 1 Thessalonians, the first letter of Paul to come down to us. Evidently Paul had evangelised city of Thessalonica about the year AD 49. He then moved on through Athens to Corinth. In the meantime, the new believers in Thessalonica experienced some kind of oppression or harassment. They contacted Paul and he sent Timothy. The letter is in response to Timothy’s report.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10 We begin reading today from the earliest surviving Christian document, Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. Paul had founded this community in Greece and then had to move on. Subsequently, they experienced considerable hardship on account of being believers. Paul writes to reassure them and to answer some questions they sent him.

Matthew 23:13-22 The Jesus of this story is stern, but be careful not to leave it in the past. His teaching is for us today as well.

Tuesday 26 August

1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 In our first reading today, Paul summarises his great love for the Christians in Thessalonica. It is a striking expression of real emotional dependence— something we might be uncomfortable with today. He brings this section to a conclusion with a prayer that God might allow him to visit them.

Matthew 23:23-26 The temptation is always present to let punctilious observance of the rules takes the place of true religion — “justice, mercy and good faith.” Perhaps it is simply easier?

Wednesday 27 August

St Monica, wife and mother

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 It might seem strange to us, but one of the things the Thessalonians resented about Paul was his refusal to take money from them! In a way, he had insulted them, but he defends his motives with great energy.

Matthew 23:27-32 The attack on “show” religion continues fiercely. It is important to try to hear this both in the present and personally. It is much easer to leave it in the past and think of others. The last line is unexpectedly robust!

Thursday 28 August

St Augustine, bishop and doctor

1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 In our first reading today, Paul summarises his great love for the Christians in Thessalonica. It is a striking expression of real emotional dependence— something we might be uncomfortable with today. He brings this section to a conclusion with a prayer that God might allow him to visit them.

Matthew 24:42-51 We can sleepwalk through life but luckily life itself has a way of keeping us alert and awake.

Friday 29 August

The beheading of St John the Baptist

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Ethical issues are always present. How should the Thessalonians behave, so as to distinguish themselves from the surrounding, much more lax culture? The general advice given then is still valuable today.

Mark 6:17-29 The gospel—special for the feast—tells the story of the death of John the Baptist. It is a grisly end for a great prophet, facing death at the whim of his enemy.

Saturday 30 August

St Fiacre, monk

1 Thessalonians 4:9-11 In this short reading Paul affirms the Thessalonians before he exhorts them to even better behaviour. The topic— brotherly love—is never, ever out of date.

Matthew 25:14-30 Today’s parable is undoubtedly severe, especially towards the end. The overall message, however, stands: we have all receive graces and gifts—but how do we use them?

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bv, August 24). Twenty-first Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082425.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings

One another, 21C

August 24, 2025

Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117 (116); Hebrews 12:5-7; Luke 13:22-30

Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world:

For the Church: that we may draw close to Christ, who is the gate into eternal life and the way to wholeness: let us pray to the Lord.

For spiritual growth: that Spirit will help us implement disciplines that will deepen our knowledge and love of God and increase our ability to respond to God’s invitations each day: let us pray to the Lord.

For unity in the Body of Christ: that Christians from east and west, north and south, may work together in confronting evil, poverty, and disease so that the Gospel may be made known in deeds as well as words: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are experiencing trials and disciplines: that God will strengthen their spirits and help them to be open to the pruning and renewing work of God’s Word: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are facing difficult choices, particularly about health issues, relationships, or employment: that the Spirit guide them to inner freedom, integrity, and wholeness: let us pray to the Lord.

For grace to enter through the narrow gate: that the Spirit will guide us in living lives of forgiveness, compassion, self-control, and acts of service so that our lives may manifest the reign of God: let us pray to the Lord.

For fortitude: that we may resist the easy path of violence, greed, prejudice, and self-righteousness, and strive to encourage and support one another in following Christ in our unique vocations: let us pray to the Lord.

For courage: that the Spirit will help us hear God’s invitation, respond wholeheartedly to God’s call, and trust that God will provide what seems lacking in our ability: let us pray to the Lord.

For missionaries and aid workers: that God will renew their spirits and give them the resources they need to support and inspire those whom they serve: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are suffering from storms, floods, or wildfires: that God will comfort them, give them strength, and guide them to the resources that they need: let us pray to the Lord.

For all beginning a new school year: that they may grow in knowledge, wisdom, and virtue and be kept safe from all harm in the months ahead: let us pray to the Lord.

For refugees and those fleeing warfare: that God will open a path to safety, provide food and shelter for them, and help them to find acceptance in their new communities: let us pray to the Lord.

For those working to promote racial and inter-religious harmony: that God will guide their efforts and help all to give witness to the dignity of each person: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who feel unworthy of God and fear death: that they may encounter God’s love for them and recognize that God desires life and wholeness for them: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that God will heal the divisions in society, bring an end to warfare, help us to speak respectfully of one another, and to pursue the common good: let us pray to the Lord.

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bv, August 24). Twenty-first Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082425.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.