21st Sunday In Ordinary Time - 2025 - Year C

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

Gospel for the day - 21st Sunday In Ordinary Time Year C

Luke 13:22-30 - ‘People will come from east and west, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.’

At that time: Jesus went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying towards Jerusalem. And someone said to him, ‘Lord, will those who are saved be few?’ And he said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us”, then he will answer you, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.” But he will say, “I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!” In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.’

This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings .

Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week.

Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts. If you are interested in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word please email us: cluster.alpha@outlook.com

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

Taken at face value, the question posed to Jesus, as well as his reply, must strike us as rather harsh and out of line with his usual message of love and inclusiveness. As so often, it is useful to consider the wider context. Against the backdrop of the commonly held belief of the Jews as God's chosen people, it is likely that the questioner is curious to know if non-Jews, or Jews who don't stringently follow the rules, are excluded from salvation.

In response, Jesus uncompromisingly nips in the bud any notion that simply belonging to a particular group will gain us any merit. It is by our actions, by entering through the narrow gate, that we will be judged. If people "from the east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God", we, too, would do well to look out for goodness beyond church-going Catholics, Christians, or indeed, institutionalised religion. Are we prepared to find God in unexpected places?

1. Share a moment when you were humbled by an unexpected act of kindness by a person of another faith or none.

2. What daily choices are you making that will allow you to be recognized at the doorway
of the reign of God?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

For Pope Leo and all Church leaders, may their lives and teachings give witness to a God who is compassionate and just.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer

May the Church be granted the courage and unshakeable strength of Jeremiah, that it may speak your truth and guide your people with faithfulness even in the face of opposition.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer

May those in the world, who are being persecuted because of their Christian beliefs, be strengthened in their resolve and stand firm in their beliefs.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer

For the staff and volunteers of humanitarian agencies, that this week’s United Nations observance of World Humanitarian Day on 19th August, encourage them in their compassionate service of victims of violence, poverty, and social upheaval.