Word Wide Open: The Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) - 8/27/23

First Reading (Isaiah 22:19-23)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

Thus says the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace:

"I will thrust you from your office

and pull you down from your station.

On that day I will summon my servant

Eliakim, son of Hilkiah;

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.

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.

I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot,

to be a place of honor for his family."

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does God provide us leaders in the faith? In what ways are we called to lead and protect the faith?

Second Reading (Romans 11:33-36)

A reading from the St. Paul the Romans. 

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!

For who has known the mind of the Lord

or who has been his counselor?

Or who has given the Lord anything

that he may be repaid?

For from him and through him and for him are all things. 

To him be glory forever. Amen.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What can we actually know about God and His ways?

Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and

he asked his disciples,

"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,

still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 

Simon Peter said in reply,

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

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. 

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. 

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." 

Then he strictly ordered his disciples

to tell no one that he was the Christ.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What would you say if someone asked who Jesus is? How does this passage show God’s desire for mercy? Why does Jesus tell them to not tell people He is the Christ?