The Word today, 19C
- Admin
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
August 11 - August 16, 2025
St Clare, religious
Deuteronomy 10:12-22 This reading may surprise people who are uncomfortable with the Old Testament. It teaches first of all the love of God, that is, the love we should have for God. The second paragraph should speak to us today, conscious as we are of the stranger in our midst.
Matthew 17:22-27 Jesus’ own real freedom in relation to civil authorities is wittily reflected in this rather legendary story.
St Jane Frances de Chantal, religious; St Muredach, bishop; St Attracta, virgin; St Lelia, virgin
Deuteronomy 31:1-8 While the setting is extraordinary, we are witnessing here something familial: the transition of leadership from one figure (Moses) to another (Joshua). The key sentence is a guarantee: he (the Lord) will be with you. Today, this reading, taken literally, is difficult. But by means of this text, ancient Israelites portrayed their God as a God of grace and faithfulness, the God of covenant reliability amidst all harshness and unpredictability of life.
Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 We could easily miss the culture force of the illustration. A child in the time of Jesus was not a symbol of innocent but of powerlessness. To welcome those without power is to welcome Jesus himself.
Sts Pontian, bishop of Rome, and Hippolytus, priest, martyrs; St Fachtna, bishop
Deuteronomy 34:1-12 According to biblical tradition, Moses died within view of the promised land. Our reading describes his death and burial and gives a final, very moving tribute to the great leader.
Matthew 18:15-20 In this Gospel we are overhearing practices developed in the community of Matthew, most likely centred in Antioch. What to do with people who “stray”? The procedure is in several stages, following common sensitivity and biblical precedent.
St Maximilian Kolbe, priest, martyr
Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17 The final entry in to the Promised Land under Joshua is described as a minor echo of the Exodus. The Jordan stands still to let them pass. The Psalm is a perfect match.
Matthew 18:21-19:1 This is a very sharp wisdom tale. Simply put, if you have been forgiven, you in turn must be forgiving. It may be best to think of it as an extended meditation on the Lord’s Prayer: forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Apocalypse 11:19, 12:1-6, 10 This unusual reading is really about the motherhood of the church and the martyrdom of early Christians. By an accommodated interpretation, it is read for the feast.
1 Corinthians 15:20-26 Our text is really a good example of Christian apocalyptic. One of the concerns of apocalyptic writings was the sequence of the end or when we will see the total victory over death. Paul believed in this, but knew it was not yet.
Luke 1:39-56 The prayer of Mary can still cause surprise because it is not about having a baby but about social reversal or revolution. We overhear in these words the prayer of the Christian anawim YHWH or the poor of the Lord.
St Stephen of Hungary
Joshua 24:14-29 A covenant renewal ceremony is recounted, something we regularly “do” in the Lord’s Supper. As we hear, the commitment involved is scary!
Matthew 19:13-15 It might be reassuring that the disciples got in the way so early!! Jesus corrected them and received the little children.
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025br, August 10). Nineteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081025.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings
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