Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
August 21, 2016
Gospel: Lk 13:22-30
Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as
he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a
few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow
gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong
enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will
you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will
say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from. And you will say, ‘We
ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say
to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And
there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And
people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and
will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will
be first, and some are first who will be last.”
(http://www.usccb.org)
This week’s spotlight
The Book of Isaiah
Isaiah, who lived in the seventh century before
Christ, was one of the greatest of all
the prophets.
His book, containing sixty-six chapters, is one of the longest books of the Bible.
He advised the king of Jerusalem to trust in the protection of God. He foretold
many things about the Messiah, including his suffering and death.
The offertory
After the intercessions, the priest moves to the
altar. He receives the gifts, and presents them to the Father. The bread and
the wine represent our lives and our works. We present them to God, knowing
that they are first his gifts to us. The priest says: "Blessed are you
Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness, we have this bread (wine) to offer.”
The Lord receives our gifts from the hands of the priest, transforms them, and
gives them back in Holy Communion. As the bread and wine are changed into the
Eucharist, so our hearts are transformed into the likeness of Christ.
Reflection
Be generous!
When the apostles asked Jesus if only a few people
would be saved, they were probably a bit worried that he didn't really answer
them. Instead, he said, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” Jesus was
trying to tell them (and us) not to worry so much about keeping score with God.
We know that God wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of
the truth. But if we focus on how we’re doing, we can’t focus on love.
Trying to keep score in a relationship turns love into
a business deal. God isn’t interested in making deals with us, but in being our
Father. He invites us to strive to enter heaven by way of generous love, not
out of fear or seeking rewards. Jesus is inviting you to hope in him, and to
love as he loves. Will you trust him?
Discussion questions
1.What does someone ask Jesus?
2.What does Jesus say about being saved?
3.What warning does Jesus give his listeners?
After
receiving Holy Communion,
you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you
have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to
receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus, in
communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. I am
amazed by your generous love for your people. Help me, in turn, to love without
counting the cost.
This week…
Be generous
This week, think of some ways in
which you can be generous with your family. You might do little favors for your
parents and siblings, or make an extra effort to be cheerful and loving.
Whatever you do, do it generously and without asking for anything in return!
Discover the love of God
This week, each time you say hi
to your parents or kiss them, and each time they kiss you, say in your heart:
“Lord, I know you love me!”
Crossword Puzzle
Source: usccb.org
- Magnifikid - sermons4kids.com – rclblectionary.com
–usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm