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Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

23 Aug 2015

SUNDAY SUMMARY Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Each must choose whom to serve: gods of the land, or the God of the community? Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Hearts will be broken, and spirits crushed. But the Lord sees, hears, and rescues. Ephesians 5:21-32 Christ and the church are a great mystical communion echoed in human marriage. John 6:60-69 The hour of decision arrives. Most cannot accept the revelation of Jesus.

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Ephesians 5:21-32 John 6:60-69

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Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

26 Aug 2012

SUNDAY SUMMARY Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Before heading into the land of promise, Joshua puts the offer on the table. Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Will the Lord deliver those in need who call? Taste and see. Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32 The relationship of Christ to the church is closer than a husband and wife. John 6:60-69 Time to make up our minds as disciples: to stay and commit or return to the old way?

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Ephesians 5:21-32 John 6:60-69 Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32

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Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

23 Aug 2009

SUNDAY SUMMARY Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b The moment of decision has arrived when Joshua stands with the nation at the Jordan River. Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 The just may know trouble, yet God will be their rescue. Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32 The church shares a covenant with Christ as close as a couple joined in marriage. John 6:60-69 Many disciples find their faith shaken when Jesus speaks words of spirit and life.

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Ephesians 5:21-32 John 6:60-69 Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32

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Right relationship: A path to holiness

Funeral, Sacrament-based, Holy Day, Holiday, Special Occasion - Sample homilies to be adapted for your use

Occasion: Right relationship Readings: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21; Ephesians 5:21-32; John 6:60-69 In reflecting on “right relationship,” we must begin with God. Throughout salvation history we see God in relationship with us. The metaphors scripture uses to describe the sacred relationship between God and God’s people belong to those of betrothal and marriage. It is a relationship God initiated; what followed was a drama in which the people God had chosen accepted, reciprocated, and at times outright rejected that relationship. After witnessing God deliver their ancestors from the Egyptians, free them from slavery, perform miracles during their sojourn in the wilderness, and protect from enemies, the Book of Joshua says, the Israelites proclaim: “We also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.” God desires intimacy with us. The ultimate fulfillment of this desire is accomplished in the Father’s sending of his only son, Jesus, to become one of us (except in sin) so that we might have salvation and receive the bread come down from heaven. We continue to see God’s faithfulness and fidelity to God’s loved ones, traits perceptible to human nature and to the soul in need. Who of us can say we are not in need? Why do we seek relationship with God? Why come to church? When we receive the Eucharist, each one of us approaches the altar in need. It is need and relationship that moves our will to say “yes” to God’s invitation to celebrate the liturgy. The Lord, a God of mercy and justice, hears us in our needs and provides, rescues the distressed, punishes evil, and consoles the brokenhearted, we hear in Psalm 34 and as we ourselves have witnessed in our own joys and sorrows. What does God ask of us but love? We express that love in prayer, in thanksgiving and praise—especially in our active participation in the liturgy—and in what results when the liturgy takes root and changes our minds and hearts. This transformation affects our relationships with and service for God and others: our spouse, children, family, work colleagues, friendships, and all others we come in contact with. In the gospel Jesus says, “It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” There were some who wanted to follow Jesus, but on their own terms. The gospel tells us some of Jesus’ followers could not accept his teachings and “. . . many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.” In the gospel Jesus says, “It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” There were some who wanted to follow Jesus, but on their own terms. The gospel tells us some of Jesus’ followers could not accept his teachings and “. . . many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.” Is our understanding of relationships reflective of our relationship with God, our love for Christ? Are we faithful to the love Jesus calls us to when he says, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” and “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39)? WE HEAR IN THE LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS: “Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.” Saint Jerome’s Vulgate, an early Latin translation of the Bible, translated the wordsubditae as “submission” which we currently read as “subordinate.” The meaning of subditae, however, is not “submission,” “inferiority,” or even “obedience”; rather, the most accurate translation of subditae is “supportive”: being “supportive to, a complement of, or conforming oneself and one’s interest to.” The relationship between husband and wife beautifully imitates the saving mystery of the relationship between Christ and his church. Christ loved the church and laid down his life in order to make her holy. A right relationship between husband and wife is a love that reflects and models the relationship of Christ with his church—a love that is self-gift, sacrificial, nourishing, cherishing, and a cause for rejoicing because it is holy. According to the Second Vatican Council, we, the members of the Body of Christ, have a “universal call to holiness” (Lumen Gentium, ch. 5). If we begin to understand right relationship and enact it in our lives and teach it to those we love, its reality and power will prove dramatic. Our faith tells us nothing is impossible for God. Understanding and practicing right relationship will prevent, overcome, stop, or heal unhealthy relationships, abuse, or violence, whether it happens in marriage, the family, a dating relationship, a friendship, the workplace, bullying in schools, or the church. Right relationship is a path to holiness. And holiness, a gift offered to all the baptized, ultimately brings forth the glory of God and God’s joy and peace.

Authors Tina Hernandez Lasquety

Special occasion Right relationship Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Ephesians 5:21-32 John 6:60-69

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Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

26 Aug 2018

SUNDAY SUMMARY Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Joshua forces the choice: to serve the Lord or other gods. Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 God watches out for the just and hears their cry for help. Ephesians 5:21-32 The union of Christ and the church is a great mystery. John 6:60-69 Many of the disciples go home, alienated by the hard sayings of Jesus.

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Ephesians 5:21-32 John 6:60-69

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Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

22 Aug 2021

SUNDAY SUMMARY Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b The moment of decision arrives for the people of Israel on the verge of a new land. Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Evildoers will be confronted, and the just delivered with no bones broken. Ephesians 5:21-32 Marriage is lifted up as the symbol of Christ and his church. John 6:60-69 The bread of life discourse wins no converts and loses many disciples.

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Ephesians 5:21-32 John 6:60-69

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Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

25 Aug 2024

SUNDAY SUMMARY Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b The moment of decision has arrived when Joshua stands with the nation at the Jordan River. Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 The just may know trouble, yet God will be their rescue. Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32 The church shares a covenant with Christ as close as a couple joined in marriage. John 6:60-69 Many disciples find their faith shaken when Jesus speaks words of spirit and life. More resources for the month available in Seasonal notes.

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Ephesians 5:21-32 Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32 John 6:60-69

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