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Homily from the Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time, A.D. MMXXV.
2025 Aug 24 SUN: TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 66: 18-21/ Ps 117: 1. 2/ Heb 12: 5-7. 11-13/ Lk 13: 22-30 I remember, from about 20 years ago, being at a meeting with a number of non-Catholic Christian pastors and I was explaining to them what the Second Vatican Council had to say about the possible salvation of people who've never heard of Jesus Christ. And Vatican II, in the Constitution on the Church, says that such people, if they are seeking what is true and good, they can be granted entrance into the heavenly kingdom. And I remember one of the pastors objecting to this. He says, "That's universalism." Universalism traditionally has been the idea that everybody is saved. And I suppose that it kind of tore at his idea of religion. I guess he had this idea that there are winners and losers. I don't know. But we have this question posed today. It says that someone asked Jesus, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" Well, Jesus does not give an answer -- a numerical answer. He does tell us that we need to pay close attention because this is a relationship we are talking about. A relationship into which every one of us has been invited. He says it isn't enough to say yeah we knew you, you taught in our streets, you should know us. That is not sufficient. We are called to cultivate a truly personal relationship with the Son of God who came among us truly human as well as truly God -- in order to bear on our behalf all that we find ourselves having to bear in this often painful mystery of our earthly existence. Saint Teresa of Avila wrote that Jesus is our best friend precisely because he chose to take upon himself what we find ourselves having to suffer in a sinful world. The pastor I remember from 20 years ago could be confronted today with what we hear from just about the very end of the prophet Isaiah. There is universalism being expressed here. You heard all those unfamiliar place names. In fact there's one in there that is so unfamiliar that nobody can identify it with anything. They don't know which nation Isaiah is talking about but they are converging from the east and the west and from the north and the south. And those are Jesus' words today in the Gospel. Yes, there is something universally offered. We have the responsibility of really accepting this gift of the God who became one of us and we hope that, by the way we live our lives, many others will be attracted to this Kingdom of God announced by Jesus. Of course we might talk about these things in ways that do not open themselves to relationships. We've heard it in the news over the past week about people reflecting and worrying, I guess you could say, about whether they would get to heaven. And that's a very American way of putting things. We can find it if we pick up a great American novel, Huckleberry Finn, and discover that Huck is being taught about the "good place" and the "bad place." Well, it's not so much a place; it is a relationship. It is coming to love the God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who first of all created us and then recreated us through the sacrifice of Jesus. So Jesus, when he speaks about the narrow way, is talking about what the Letter to the Hebrews is illustrating. Yes, we find ourselves disciplined, but this is so that we may be strong. He refers to our hands and our knees. Hebrews is saying you can keep traveling this path because you are on a path in which you discover that you are being healed.
Fr. Brendan McGuire - Podcasts that Break open the Word of God
The exercise of free will comes with consequences. In other words, when we choose to do bad things and we harm ourselves, these are the consequences of free will. We do silly things, silly things happen, and we pay the price for it. But also on the other hand, when we choose to do good things, and not only good for ourselves, but good for everyone else, there also are good consequences. Positive consequences versus negative consequences. (Read more…)Here is my homily email from the Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time. Please feel free to share this email with others.
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time | 08.24.2025 | Fr.John Nepil by Lourdes Denver
Fr. Ivan Pertine speaks about the disposition necessary for entering the Kingdom of Heaven.
Father Matthew Dimock and Father Jonathan Torres' homilies at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Vigil and 8am Mass 08-24-25 Readings https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082425.cfm Check out our YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@salisburycatholic?si=7db6hQDTEjQrpiMJ
Homily by Deacon Chris Morash
The Narrow Door: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - Lectionary: 08/24/2025 by Shawn Ozbun
Liturgy (a St. Patrick Catholic Community Podcast for readings, homilies & more)
Fr. Eric's homily on the Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Msgr. Watkins speaks on the substance of the Mass and what should be our focus each Sunday.
Homily from the Mass offered on Sunday, August 24th. 1st Reading: Isaiah 66:18–21 2nd Reading: Hebrews 12:5–7, 11–13 Gospel Reading: Luke 13:22-30 To support the podcast financially, click here: https://stpiuscda.org/online-giving
Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary TimeJerusalem is understood as a spiritual reference to pain, suffering, sorrow, and death. These are all realities people attempt to avoid at all costs. Jesus, having freely taken up His own cross, teaches us that power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, strive to enter through the narrow gate.Scripture Readings August 24, 2025Isaiah 66:18-21Psalm 117:1, 2Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13Luke 13:22-30
Reading 1Isaiah 66:18-21Thus says the LORD:I know their works and their thoughts,and I come to gather nations of every language;they shall come and see my glory.I will set a sign among them;from them I will send fugitives to the nations:to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan,to the distant coastlandsthat have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory;and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nationsas an offering to the LORD,on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries,to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD,just as the Israelites bring their offeringto the house of the LORD in clean vessels.Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.Reading 2Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13Brothers and sisters,You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:"My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lordor lose heart when reproved by him;for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;he scourges every son he acknowledges."Endure your trials as "discipline";God treats you as sons.For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?At the time,all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousnessto those who are trained by it.So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.Make straight paths for your feet,that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.GospelLuke 13:22-30Jesus 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 enterbut 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 teethwhen you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacoband all the prophets in the kingdom of Godand you yourselves cast out.And people will come from the east and the westand from the north and the southand 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."
Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona
Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona
Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona
Homily for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 24, 2025
Mass readings for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 24, 2025, are: First Reading: Isaiah 66:18-21; Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117:1, 2; Second Reading: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; and the Gospel: Luke 13:22-30.
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Listen to Fr. Steve's homily from 8/24/25.Thanks for listening! Please leave us a rating and/or review, and share on social media or with a friend! You can email ashley@rootedinthereallyreal.com with any questions or suggestions. God bless.
Fr. Hezekias and Annie explore the tension between God's universal call and narrow discipleship through Isaiah's prophecy of nations coming to worship, Jesus' warning about the narrow gate, and God's fatherly correction for spiritual growth.
At the peak of his career, when he was beating the competition, Tiger Woods decided to change his swing. He went against the rule that we all follow: If it is not broken, don't fix it. But Mr. Woods learned a new swing and became a better golfer: if you want to do something really... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time (2025) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.
ROSARY - GLORIOUS MYSTERIES today. DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET for Sunday.
You are invited to walk through the narrow gate.
Here are the readings for today: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082425.cfm
Here are the readings for today: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082425.cfm
Homily, Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 24, 2025, by Pastor, Fr. Jeff VonLehmen
Homily for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time given by Fr. Dennis O'Keeffe.
Read OnlineJesus 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.” Luke 13:22–24 The context of this passage provides insight into Jesus' mission and His concern for each and every person. Note that Jesus was traveling toward the large and populous city of Jerusalem. But as He traveled, He passed through “towns and villages” and taught the people as He went. This might seem like a small detail, but it is also a significant one.A city like Jerusalem was large and often had wealthy, influential, and “important” people. The less-populated towns had borders and often some form of local government. Villages were much smaller rural areas, often made up of poorer, less educated, less influential, and simpler people. One historian, Josephus, wrote that there were about 240 villages throughout Galilee at the time Jesus lived. It's interesting to note that Jesus wanted to teach everyone. He didn't care if they were wealthy and powerful people in the large city or peasant farmers and shepherds from the countryside. His mission was to all.One thing this teaches us is that we, also, must have love and concern for everyone, regardless of their social status. Each and every person is equal in dignity. From the president of a large country, to the beggar in an alleyway, everyone deserves our respect and attention in an equal way.Our fallen human nature experiences various forms of temptation. Among them are temptations for riches, power and prestige. For that reason, we tend to admire those who have obtained worldly success because we want it for ourselves. As a result, we tend to show greater respect for those who have achieved what we covet and give less attention to those who do not have that success. This, of course, goes to the heart of the problem.When you think about the people whom you have encountered recently, what comes to mind? Perhaps your “encounter” was to read about someone's great success in the financial world. Or perhaps it was to read about someone's demise in another way. Perhaps a neighbor has done well and purchased a new car, or a friend got fired from a job. Whatever the case may be, it is important to consider the level of personal respect and love you show for each person. It must be equal. Worldly status cannot determine how we treat others. This is hard to avoid.The teaching that Jesus gave to those in the towns and villages was an exhortation to holiness. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” And at the end of today's Gospel, Jesus says, “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” The latter statement must have especially resonated with those who felt somewhat insignificant and unimportant in life. Those who felt like they were “last” would have received a certain hope. This tells us that God never measures us by our successes from a worldly standpoint. He measures us only on the level of our fidelity to His holy will. Reflect, today, upon how you look at all people. Do you see every person in the way that God sees them? Do you see everyone with equal dignity and worth? Or do you elevate those whom you envy and whose success you covet? Seek to eliminate all worldly ways of looking at others so that you will only look at others through the lens of their dignity and fidelity to the will of God. Lord, as You journeyed through life, You looked only at the hearts of those You encountered. You treated each person with dignity and love. Please help me to shed all temptations to see others through the eyes of the world and to show full respect to all of Your sons and daughters. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Podcast Credit Scripture references used with permission from the National Council of the Churches of Christ. Text comes from: “New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved."Produced by Fr Stephen Gadberry and Robbie RiveraSupport the show
For 24 August 2025, Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time , based on Luke 13:22-30
Read the scriptures for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time at this link.
I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, except through me.A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 13:22-30, today's readings)."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."As Jesus passes through towns and villages, someone asks him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answers them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough." Jesus tells a parable where people knock on the door of the master's house and say to him, "Lord, open the door for us." He will say to them, Jesus tells the people, "I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!" If we are not strong enough, and we are not strong enough, Jesus supplies our strength even as he disciplines through trials. As Saint Paul says, "All discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it."Father in heaven, even as I live in the midst of your discipline, I struggle to understand how and why it is necessary. Give me the grace to accept that any discipline I experience is a means of sanctifying me for the sake of your glory. When I discern your will and yet resist carrying it out, strengthen me to move forward not with earthly sight but with the sight of faith in your love and mercy. "I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord," the Gospel acclamation says, "no one comes to the Father, except through me." Make straight my path, Lord!Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Salvation is the state of being fully what God intends one to be. What God intends is loving communion with each of us and for us to live in communion with one another. So, whatever I do that helps my brothers and sisters know God's love and share it is an aid to their salvation.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year's experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews
We don't desire too much...we desire too little.
For the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on striving for Christ. Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources. Listen to Fr. Frank's more of weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.
For the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on striving for Christ. Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources. Listen to Fr. Frank's more of weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.
A Bible study on Luke 13:22-30, the Gospel reading for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C.
Get all set for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time with Fr. Aaron Jenkins.SummaryIn this engaging podcast episode, hosts Scott Williams and Jeff Traylor welcome Father Aaron Jenkins, who shares his unique experiences as a Catholic priest, including his hobbies like beekeeping, glass blowing, and wargaming. The conversation delves into the challenges of preaching, the significance of gospel readings, and the importance of community engagement. Father Jenkins also discusses his artistic background and thoughts on church architecture.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction06:58 Exploring the Readings for the Week11:14 The Challenge of Luke's Gospel21:18 Preaching Insights and Challenges24:34 Hobbies and Interests of Father Jenkins33:16 Church Architecture and Artistic Background39:35 Musical Instruments at Mass