TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
1st READING
One of the symbols of leadership is a father. A father cares for his family and protects them against dangers. All leaders, especially spiritual leaders, should remember this. To abandon his flock is one of the worst things a leader can do. It is like the captain of a sinking ship—he must be the last one to leave the ship. May our leaders always care for their flock as their first priority.
Isaiah 22:15, 19-23
15 Thus says the Lord to Shebna, master of the palace: 19 “I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station. 20 On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; 21 I will clothe him with your robe, and gird him with your sash, and give over to him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. 22 I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open. 23 I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family.”
PSALM
Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8
R: Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.
1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; 2 I will worship at your holy temple. (R) I will give thanks to your name, because of your kindness and your truth; 3 when I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (R) 6 The Lord is exalted, yet the lowly he sees, and the proud he knows from afar. 8 Your kindness, O Lord, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. (R)
Paul’s words indicate a heart rejoicing in the wisdom and ways of God. Given this context, Paul’s dilemma is about the Jews who reject the Gospel and what God intends to do with them.
Romans 11:33-36
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? 35 Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid? 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
GOSPEL
“But who do you say that I am?” is Jesus’ ultimate question to His disciples. If we do not believe Jesus is the Son of God, Redeemer, and Savior, then we ignore the Gospels and live without its revelation and graces. If we do not believe, we will be frustrated and unfulfilled. But if we do believe, we will be eternally content and fulfilled.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:13-20
13 Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Reflect: “Lord Jesus, shelter our Holy Father the Pope under the protection of your sacred Heart. Be his light, his strength, and his consolation. Amen.” – Prayer for the Pope
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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
thank You, Lord, for:
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Read the Bible in one year - Job 34-37
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