15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B (2021)

Filed Under: Feasts Holy Days and Seasons

Sunday, July 11, 2021

The readings for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year B are a call to spread the gospel in our communities. In the first reading (Amos 7:12-15) Amos explains that he is a prophet because that is what God told him to do, not to benefit for himself. The psalm (Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14) speaks of God’s truth and justice. In the second reading (Ephesians 1:3-14 OR 1:3-10) we are reminded that God has chosen us and given us wisdom. And in the gospel (Mark 6:7-13) Jesus sends his disciples out in pairs to preach and heal.

This selection from scripture could lead to a discussion of evangelization and the importance of not walking alone. Here are some ideas:

Do’s and Don’ts of Evangelization

This very funny video from Life Teen shows teenagers how (or how not) to introduce their friends to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. It's a great resource for getting a youth ministry group talking about evangelization.

Show Us Your Mercy and Grant Us Your Salvation

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. - Psalm 85:8 (Social media graphic)

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The readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year B invite us to be transformed by the call of Jesus. So possible themes for this Sunday are evangelization, vocations, and discipleship.

January 25 is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. St. Paul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus converted him from a persecutor of Christians to a fully committed follower of Jesus.

January 26 is the feast day of Sts. Timothy and Titus. St. Timothy is the patron saint of stomach ailments. St. Titus is the patron saint of the United States Army Chaplain Corps.

St. Angela Merici is the founder of the Ursuline order of religious sisters. She is the patron saint of the sick, the disabled, and all those grieving the loss of parents. Her feast day is January 27.

St. Thomas Aquinas is a 13th century saint and a Doctor of the Church. St. Thomas was influenced by the philosopher Aristotle and was known to for his logical and reasoned approach to theology.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He tells the number of the stars; he calls each by name.

This quote from St. John Bosco reminds us to think before we act

Oh, that today you would hear his voice: “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, Where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works.”

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”