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Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings for August 25, 2013 – Lectionary: 120
Reflection starts at 4 minute mark.
Reading 1
IS 66:18-21
The week’s first reading from Isaiah doesn’t sound very new to us, but to the Jewish people, this was almost too hard to comprehend. The Jewish people rightfully thought of themselves as the people of God, but the prophet shares some shocking information with them, around five centuries before the Incarnation of Jesus. He reveals that God desires to invite all people.This is one of the first times this concepts has ever been expressed, and the audience would have fittingly been feeling shocked.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 117:1, 2
R. (Mk 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Reading 2
HEB 12:5-7, 11-13
In this week’s second reading, we come to the third part of four from the letter to the Hebrews. Our return to this epistle comes where the tone has changed dramatically from last week. Last week, the writer reminded us of the encouraging support from our heavenly witnesses, but this week is a little more difficult to embrace.
If we are to call ourselves disciples and children of the Lord, we must also be willing to accept the discipline our Father gives us. Our prideful hearts often have a hard time accepting being reproved, but there are times children need to learn when we have started going in the wrong direction. We understand that this comes out of the Lord’s love, when we mistake it as unjust, we can know it is our pride unwilling to take the difficult steps to accept change.
Gospel
LK 13:22-30
We continue listening to some of the difficult words from Jesus in Luke’s Gospel this week. People often think that Jesus was always speaking about loving everyone and only focused on forgiveness, but this is a prime example of the often harsh words that Jesus spoke in Truth.
When the disciples ask him who will be saved, or who will go to heaven, Jesus doesn’t say that the road to eternal life with the Lord is wide and easy. Jesus says “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.”
This can understandably bring fear into our hearts – no one really wants to go to hell. When Jesus continues and states that some will try and ask the Lord to open the gate, and Jesus will say “Depart from me you evildoers.” It’s a terrifying thought to hear these words come from Jesus himself. There is hope, for Christ himself has conquered death and sin has been overcome, but this Gospel asks us how much we really believe it and do our lives profess that same belief?
Question for further reflection
How can I live my fidelity to the Truth better without focusing on fear, but love?
Reflection done by Cristobal Almanza – @SoulPainter
Theme song – Ignite – Soundwave soundwave.cc
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