Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Ezekiel 37:1-14: The Lord showed a vision of dry bones coming to life, symbolizing Israel’s restoration. God promised to revive His people, bringing them back to their land and filling them with His Spirit.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 107: The Lord rescues those in distress, guiding them to safety and fulfilling their needs. His love endures forever, and his mercy is shown in his wondrous deeds for humanity.
• Gospel – Matthew 22:34-40: When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus emphasized loving God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind, and loving one’s neighbor as oneself. All other laws and teachings are based on these two commandments.

 You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:37-39

On Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings focus on themes of renewal, life, and love. Ezekiel speaks of the dry bones coming to life, and Jesus teaches about the greatest commandments of love. These themes encourage us to reflect on God’s life-giving power and the call to love.

• Restoration of Life: Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones becoming alive again symbolizes God’s power to restore life. It shows that no situation is beyond God’s ability to renew and bring back to life.
• God’s Promise: The promise of God to bring His people out of their graves and into the land of Israel demonstrates His faithfulness. It reassures us that God will fulfill His promises to us, no matter how impossible they seem.
• New Spirit: God promises to put a new spirit within His people. This theme reflects the inner transformation God offers, bringing new hope and strength.
• Love for God: In the Gospel, Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This reminds us that our primary duty is to love God fully and sincerely.
• Love for Neighbor: Jesus also teaches that loving our neighbor as ourselves is essential. This theme emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion.
• Unity of Commandments: The two commandments to love God and neighbor are inseparable. This unity shows that true love for God naturally leads to love for others.

These readings challenge us to trust in God’s renewing power and to live out the commandments of love. By embracing these teachings, we can experience a fuller life in faith and love.

The readings for Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 offer deep insights into God’s power to renew and the central role of love in our lives. Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones and Jesus’ teachings on the greatest commandments remind us of God’s renewing power and our call to love. These reflections explore the themes of renewed hope, loving God first, and showing compassion to all.

Renewed Hope

In the readings for Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Ezekiel describes a vision of dry bones coming back to life. This vision symbolizes the people of Israel who felt lost and without hope. God shows His power to bring life where there is none. This passage reminds us that no matter how hopeless our situations seem, God can bring renewal and new life.

This message is important for everyone facing difficult times. It tells us that even when things seem impossible, God has the power to change our circumstances. Just as the dry bones came to life, we too can experience a renewal in our lives. We need to trust that God can and will bring new hope and strength. It encourages us not to give up, knowing that God’s power can work in amazing ways.

The passage also teaches us to be patient and wait on God’s timing. Sometimes, we may not see immediate changes, but God is always at work. By keeping faith and staying hopeful, we open ourselves to God’s renewing power. This gives us courage and helps us to face challenges with confidence.

Finally, this reflection on Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 calls us to be messengers of hope to others. We can share this message of renewal with those around us who may feel discouraged. By encouraging others, we help spread the hope that God offers to everyone.

Loving God First

In the Gospel reading for Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus teaches about the greatest commandment. He says that the most important commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This means putting God first in every aspect of our lives. It is a call to complete and sincere devotion to God.

Loving God first means making time for prayer and worship. It also means making decisions that honor God and follow His teachings. When we love God with all our heart, we are motivated to live in a way that pleases Him. This love is not just about feelings; it involves our actions and choices.

This commandment also invites us to reflect on our priorities. We need to ask ourselves if we are truly putting God first or if other things are taking that place. By focusing on loving God, we find purpose and direction in our lives. It helps us to grow spiritually and to stay grounded in our faith.

Moreover, loving God with all our soul and mind means engaging our thoughts and emotions in our faith. It encourages us to seek a deeper understanding of God’s will. By doing so, we strengthen our relationship with God and experience greater peace and joy.

Lastly, on Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded that this love for God is the foundation of our lives. It influences everything we do and shapes our relationships with others. When we love God first, we are able to live more fully and purposefully.

Compassion for All

On Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbor as ourselves. This teaching calls us to treat others with kindness and compassion. It is about recognizing the value and dignity of every person. Jesus teaches that true love for others is essential.

Loving our neighbor means being caring and considerate in our actions and words. It involves reaching out to those in need and showing empathy. This love is not just about feelings but also about taking practical steps to help others. It calls us to be selfless and to think of others’ well-being.

This teaching also highlights the importance of self-compassion. Jesus says we should love our neighbor as ourselves, which means we must also treat ourselves with kindness. This includes being patient with our own mistakes and taking care of our well-being. It is a balance of caring for others and caring for ourselves.

Moreover, this commandment helps us to build better communities. When we show love and compassion, we create a more positive and supportive environment. It helps to break down barriers and build understanding and cooperation among people. It fosters a sense of unity and harmony.

Finally, the readings for Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us that love and compassion are central to living a good life. By following this commandment, we reflect God’s love to the world. It is a way to make a meaningful impact in our communities and in the lives of others.

---

As we reflect on the messages from Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are encouraged to embrace God’s renewing power and live out His commandments of love. By trusting in God, prioritizing our relationship with Him, and showing compassion to others, we can grow in faith and make a positive impact in the world. Let these reflections inspire us to deepen our love for God and for one another.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for the lessons from Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2. Help us to trust in Your power to renew our lives. May we love You with all our heart and show kindness to others every day. Amen.

Word On Fire: Loving God Beyond Fear

In his reflection on the Gospel for Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron examines Jesus’s response to the Pharisees regarding the greatest commandment: to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Barron references St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s insights on loving God alone for His sake. He points out the difference between loving God and fearing Him, suggesting that true love for God goes beyond fear or self-interest and involves a pure and genuine connection.

What date is Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Friday August 21, 2026.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Friday August 21, 2026 are:
First Reading – Ezekiel 37:1-14: The Valley of Dry Bones
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 107: From Desolation to Deliverance
Gospel – Matthew 22:34-40: The Greatest Commandment

What is the meaning of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-14?

The dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-14 represent the people of Israel who feel hopeless and cut off. God shows that He can bring them back to life, giving them new hope and restoring their spirit.

How does Ezekiel 37:1-14 apply to our lives?

Ezekiel 37:1-14 reminds us that no matter how hopeless things seem, God can renew our lives. It encourages us to trust in God’s power to bring new life and hope into our situations.

Why is the commandment to love God important in Matthew 22:34-40?

The commandment to love God is important because it is the greatest commandment. It calls us to put God first in everything, loving Him with all our heart, soul, and mind.

How can we love our neighbor according to Matthew 22:34-40?

We can love our neighbor by treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect. This includes helping those in need and being considerate in our words and actions.

What does it mean to have a new spirit in Ezekiel 37:1-14?

Having a new spirit means being renewed by God’s power, gaining new hope and strength. It shows that God can change our hearts and give us new life.

How do the two greatest commandments in Matthew 22:34-40 relate to each other?

The two greatest commandments, to love God and to love our neighbor, are closely connected. Loving God leads us to love others, as true love for God includes caring for His creation.

What is the main message of the readings for Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The main message is about renewal and love. God’s power can renew life, and we are called to love God and our neighbors.

How can we apply the teachings of Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 to our daily lives?

We can apply these teachings by trusting in God’s power to renew us and by living out the commandments of love. This means putting God first and treating others with kindness and compassion.