21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Sunday August 22, 2027
Faith That Stays Strong
The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B calls us to make a choice. Just as the people of Israel had to decide to serve the Lord, we too are asked to choose faith. God does not force us to follow Him. He invites us. This Sunday reminds us that real faith means saying yes to God again and again.
The readings show how faith holds steady even when it is hard. Many of Jesus’ followers struggled to understand His words and walked away. But Peter stayed. He trusted that Jesus had the words of life. His choice to stay shows what faith looks like when we do not have all the answers.
On the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, we are asked to think about our own response. Will we follow when faith is easy, or will we stay close to Christ when His words challenge us? This Sunday is a time to renew our promise to trust, follow, and live as people who belong to God.
Mass Readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
- First Reading – Joshua 24:1-2A, 15-17, 18B : Joshua challenges Israel to choose their allegiance at Shechem; the people reaffirm their commitment to the LORD, recalling His deliverance and protection throughout their history.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 34: I will always praise the Lord, who listens to the righteous and rescues them from trouble, delivering and protecting them in their adversity.
- Second Reading – Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2A, 25-32: Christ’s love guides marital roles: wives respecting husbands as the church respects Christ, and husbands loving wives as Christ loves the church, symbolizing unity and sanctity.
- Gospel – John 6:60-69: Jesus addresses the difficulty of his teachings and acknowledges disbelief among his followers. After many leave, Peter reaffirms their faith, recognizing Jesus as the Holy One of God.
The readings above are for lectionary cycle B. For other years see the links below:
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
John 6:68
Themes for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
The readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B focus on faith, commitment, and unity. They show us the importance of choosing to follow God and living according to His teachings.
- Allegiance to God: Joshua challenges the people to choose whom they will serve. This is a call to put God first in our lives.
- Commitment and Renewal: The Israelites reaffirm their commitment to the Lord. They remember His protection and guidance throughout their history.
- Marital Unity: Ephesians speaks of the love and respect in marriage. This mirrors the relationship between Christ and the Church.
- Christ’s Sacrificial Love: Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the Church. This shows the depth and selflessness of true love.
- Discipleship’s Challenges: Jesus addresses the difficulty of accepting His teachings. Many disciples leave, showing that following Jesus can be hard.
- Peter’s Confession: Peter reaffirms his faith in Jesus. He recognizes Jesus as the Holy One of God.
These themes for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B help us understand the importance of choosing to follow God and living out our faith in daily life. They remind us that commitment to God brings unity and strength.
Resources for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Where Should We Go? A Lesson Plan on Following Jesus
This lesson plan explores walking by faith and following Jesus’ teachings, which ties directly to John 6:60-69, the gospel for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. It emphasizes trusting God’s wisdom and seeking His guidance. Participants learn to surrender worries and align decisions with Jesus’ teachings. Despite challenges, staying close to Jesus is crucial.
Through reflection, discussion, and prayer, the plan deepens understanding of walking by faith and finding purpose, strength, and fulfillment in life. This lesson helps us apply the messages from the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B to our daily lives.
Walk by Faith Prayer
The “Walk by Faith Prayer” expresses a belief in Jesus and a desire to follow His teachings. It seeks guidance, wisdom, and strength from Jesus amid life’s distractions and challenges. Acknowledging Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the prayer commits to walking by faith, finding peace and joy in Him.
This prayer helps strengthen our connection with God. It reflects the yearning for a steadfast relationship with the Lord, seeking His guidance in a world full of distractions and uncertainties.
The Book of Joshua: Choose Whom You Will Serve
In the Book of Joshua, the people of Israel have settled in the Promised Land. Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem to renew their covenant with God. This moment marks a turning point where the people must choose faithfulness after years of conquest and divine guidance. It highlights the theme of covenant and commitment.
This passage reminds the Israelites that their survival and success depend on God’s care. By recalling how God led them out of slavery and protected them, Joshua calls them to gratitude and loyalty. On the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, this reading invites us to renew our own faith and dedication to God.
Psalm 34: The Lord Delivers the Faithful
Psalm 34 is a song of praise and trust in God’s protection. It celebrates how God listens to those who call on Him and saves them from distress. The psalm reflects a deep confidence in God’s goodness, a key theme found throughout the Psalms—faith that God defends the righteous and heals the brokenhearted.
This psalm calls believers to continual praise, even in hard times. It assures us that God is near to those who seek Him sincerely. On the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, it echoes the trust of those who remain faithful, confident that God rescues and sustains them.
The Letter to the Ephesians: Love That Reflects Christ
In Ephesians, Paul teaches that Christian life is built on mutual love and unity. The section about marriage connects everyday relationships to the mystery of Christ and the Church. This teaching centers on sacrificial love—husbands and wives mirroring Christ’s devotion and service, showing how faith shapes family life.
The love Paul describes is not about control but service and respect. It transforms marriage into a sign of divine love and unity. On the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, this passage reminds us that every Christian relationship should reflect Christ’s care for His Church.
The Gospel of John: To Whom Shall We Go?
In the Gospel of John, chapter 6 focuses on Jesus as the Bread of Life. After hearing this teaching, many followers struggle to accept it. Their departure contrasts with Peter’s confession of faith, which shows trust in Jesus’ divine authority and mission. This moment highlights the theme of belief leading to eternal life.
The passage shows that faith often requires perseverance and trust beyond understanding. Peter’s response captures the heart of discipleship: staying with Christ even when His words are hard. On the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, this Gospel invites us to remain faithful, trusting that Jesus alone offers true life.
Homilies and Commentaries for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
- Do You Accept This Teaching? (Bishop Robert Barron)
- Your Turn (Fr. Mike Schmitz)
- Decide today! (Order of Preachers)
- A Choice to Make (Scott Hahn)
- Will You Walk Away? (Dynamic Catholic)
- Choosing to Follow Jesus (USCCB)
- Time to Test Your Faith (Bishop Robert Barron)
- You Gotta Serve Somebody (Bishop Robert Barron)
Do You Accept This Teaching?
In this homily from Bishop Robert Barron for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, he reflects on Jesus’ difficult teaching about the Real Presence in John 6. Many of Jesus’ disciples found the teaching hard to accept and walked away. Bishop Barron explains that Jesus didn’t speak in metaphors, which is why the people reacted so strongly. The Eucharist is central to the faith, and it’s a point where we must choose to stay or leave. Peter’s response, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” represents the Church’s trust in Jesus’ words of eternal life.
Your Turn
In this homily from Fr. Mike Schmitz for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, he reflects on Joshua’s challenge to the Israelites: “Decide for yourselves today whom you will serve.” Fr. Mike urges us to make a decision for Jesus, reminding us that while life presents many distractions and dangers, this moment is our opportunity to choose Christ. He shares that choosing Jesus may lead to failure at times, but in those moments, we encounter God’s grace and love. With a limited number of heartbeats and steps, Fr. Mike reminds us not to lose our turn to choose.
Decide today!
In this reflection from Fr. Costantino Mamo for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, he challenges us to decide whom we will serve: the true God or a false one. Many disciples left Jesus when His teachings about the Eucharist became difficult to accept. Jesus didn’t seek to change their minds but asked the Twelve if they would also leave. They responded with faith, though they didn’t fully understand. Mamo encourages us to trust Jesus, even when it’s hard, and to live our faith, knowing that God will always be with us in our struggles.
A Choice to Make
In his reflection for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, Scott Hahn emphasizes the choice the Apostles and we must make about the New Covenant in Jesus’ Body and Blood. The Gospel parallels Joshua’s challenge to the Twelve Tribes to renew their covenant with God or serve other gods. This choice mirrors our decision to embrace the Eucharist. Despite its difficulty, Peter affirms faith in Jesus, the Holy One of God. Hahn urges us to renew our covenant and trust in God’s promise of eternal life, as reflected in the Eucharist and celebrated at the altar.
Will You Walk Away?
This reflection from Dynamic Catholic focuses in the question Jesus asks his disciples, “Will you also go away?” when many abandon him. This question challenges us to reflect on our own faithfulness. Life gets hard, and it’s easy to walk away from relationships, jobs, or habits when things don’t go as we hope. Faithfulness, like that shown by St. Joseph and faithful servants like Father Caj and Phyllis, means sticking with God and what matters most, even when it’s tough. True faithfulness involves perseverance, sacrifice, and a single-minded devotion to God, shown through acts of love, prayer, and service. This is how we live our faith.
Choosing to Follow Jesus
In a USCCB video reflection for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, Fr. Greg Friedman reflects on the choice Jesus offers His disciples in John 6. After hearing the Bread of Life discourse, many followers find Jesus’ teaching hard to accept and abandon Him. Jesus asks the Twelve if they also want to leave, but Peter affirms their belief that Jesus is the Holy One of God. Fr. Friedman invites us to reflect on how we respond to Jesus, especially through the Eucharist, and to ask if we truly welcome His presence and commit to being His body in the world.
Time to Test Your Faith
In his homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on John 6:60-69. He discusses Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist, highlighting its challenging nature and the disciples’ reaction. Jesus intensifies His language about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, which shocks many. Peter, however, reaffirms their faith, recognizing Jesus as the Holy One of God. Bishop Barron emphasizes the importance of the Real Presence in the Eucharist and how it remains a key belief in the Catholic faith.
You Gotta Serve Somebody
In his homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on Joshua’s challenge to the Israelites to choose whom they will serve. This ties to the Gospel where Jesus asks His disciples to decide about the New Covenant in His Body and Blood. Barron stresses the importance of making God the center of our lives. He reminds us that while many things like career, money, and family are good, they should not take God’s place. This homily urges us to evaluate our priorities and commit to serving the Lord above all else.
Reflection for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B readings remind us of the importance of choosing to follow God, living in loving unity, and facing the challenges of discipleship. These reflections will help us deepen our understanding of the scripture and apply its lessons to our lives.
Allegiance to God
In the first reading, Joshua challenges the Israelites to choose whom they will serve. This decision is crucial for their identity and future. Joshua reminds them of God’s faithfulness and the many ways He has delivered them.
We, too, face choices about our allegiance. We can choose to follow God or be swayed by other influences. Our commitment to God shapes our lives and our actions.
Choosing God means putting Him first in everything. It means trusting His guidance and following His commandments. This choice is a daily decision, and it requires faith and dedication.
Marital Unity
The second reading from Ephesians speaks about the love and respect in marriage. Husbands and wives are called to reflect the love between Christ and the Church. This unity is a model for all relationships.
Marriage is a partnership of mutual love and respect. Each person should care for the other, just as Christ cares for the Church. This kind of love is selfless and enduring.
This reading teaches us about the sanctity of marriage. It reminds us that love in marriage should be deep and genuine. This love builds a strong foundation for family and community.
Discipleship’s Challenges
In the Gospel, Jesus talks about the difficulty of His teachings. Many of His disciples find His words hard to accept and leave Him. Peter, however, reaffirms his faith in Jesus.
Following Jesus is not always easy. It requires accepting difficult truths and making sacrifices. Some may find this too challenging and turn away.
Peter’s confession shows true discipleship. He recognizes Jesus as the Holy One of God and chooses to stay. This teaches us the importance of faith and commitment, even when the path is hard.
The readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B encourage us to choose God, live in loving unity, and face the challenges of discipleship. They remind us of the importance of faith, commitment, and love in our lives. Let us reflect on these lessons and strive to live them out daily.
Prayer
Lord, help us to choose You every day. Strengthen our commitment to follow Your ways. Fill our hearts with love and guide us through the challenges we face. Amen.
Reflection Questions for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
- What does it mean to choose God in daily life?
- How can we renew our commitment to God?
- What are the challenges of following Jesus?
- How can we support each other in our faith journey?
- How does the love between Christ and the Church inspire us?
- What can we do to strengthen our marriage or relationships?
- How can we show love and respect to others?
- Why did some disciples leave Jesus?
- What can we learn from Peter’s confession of faith?
- How can we stay committed to God during difficult times?
Social Media Graphics and Bulletin Artwork for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
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To Whom Shall We Go
This image for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B captures the moment of faith when Peter chooses to stay with Jesus while others walk away. It reminds us of trust, loyalty, and belief in the words of eternal life.
Use this image in your parish bulletin, newsletter, or youth ministry materials to reflect on choosing Christ when faith is tested.
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Music Suggestions for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
These music selections for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B focus on themes of commitment, faith, and following Jesus. They include hymns of praise, songs about walking in God’s light, and pieces that emphasize choosing to serve the Lord. The music encourages believers to reflect on their faith and make a firm decision to follow Christ. There are also songs about the Eucharist and finding strength in Jesus, which align with the readings and gospel message. This collection helps create a worshipful atmosphere, inviting the congregation to deepen their commitment to God.
- All Creatures of Our God and King by Passion and David Crowder Band
- All That We Have Seen by Sarah Hart
- And They’ll Know We Are Christians by Jars of Clay
- Arise, O Church, Arise by John Angotti
- For the Beauty of the Earth
- I Surrender by Hillsong Worship
- I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light by Kathleen Thomerson
- I Will Choose Christ by Tom Booth
- In Christ Alone by Keith and Kristyn Getty
- Lord, to Whom Shall We Go by Michael Joncas
- Love Divine, All Loves Excelling by Rowland H. Pritchard & Charles Wesley
- Love Unfolding by Josh Blakesley
- Marvelous Light by Charlie Hall
- Oh Taste and See by Chicago Mass Choir
- Open My Eyes by Jesse Manibusan
- One Bread, One Cup by Bobby Fisher, Greg Lee, Craig Aven & Ken Canedo
- Peace by Gregory Norbet & Weston Priory
- Praise Goes On by Elevation Worship
- Sent Forth by God’s Blessing by Omer Westendorf
- Sweet Redeemer by Steve Angrisano & Sarah Hart
- The Cry of the Poor by John Foley
- We Come to You by Josh Blakesley
- Where Shall We Go by Ken Canedo & Jesse Manibusan
- We Walk by Faith by Marty Haugen
- We Will Serve the Lord by Rory Cooney
- Your Words, Lord, Are Spirit and Life by Bob Hurd
Music directors and musicians are encouraged to explore these selections and integrate them into their worship services. These songs resonate with the themes of the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, enhancing the liturgical experience. Feel free to try these songs and suggest your own favorites in the comments to inspire others in their music ministry.
Questions and Answers for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Why does Joshua ask the people to choose whom they will serve in the first reading for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B?
Joshua wants the people to commit to God fully. He wants them to recognize the importance of following the Lord and not be distracted by other gods or influences.
What is the main message of Joshua 24:1-2A, 15-17, 18B?
The main message is about choosing to serve God. Joshua asks the people to decide if they will follow God or other gods. The people choose to follow the Lord, remembering His help and protection.
How can we apply Joshua’s challenge to our lives?
We can choose to put God first in our lives. This means following His teachings and trusting in His guidance every day. It involves making choices that reflect our commitment to God.
Why does Paul compare marriage to the relationship between Christ and the Church in the second reading for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B?
Paul uses this comparison to show the deep love and respect that should exist in marriage. Just as Christ loves the Church selflessly, husbands and wives should love and care for each other.
What does Ephesians 5:21-32 say about marriage?
Ephesians speaks about love and respect in marriage. Husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the Church, and wives should respect their husbands.
How can we live out the message of Ephesians in our marriages?
We can show love and respect to our spouse every day. This means being patient, kind, and supportive, just as Christ is with us.
What is difficult about Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B?
Jesus’ teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood was hard for many to understand and accept. This led many disciples to leave Him.
Why did many disciples leave Jesus in John 6:60-69?
They found His teachings difficult and could not accept them. They did not understand the spiritual meaning behind His words.
What can we learn from Peter’s response to Jesus in John 6:60-69?
Peter shows faith and commitment. He acknowledges Jesus as the Holy One of God and chooses to stay, even when it’s hard to understand.
How can we apply the Gospel message to our lives?
We can stay committed to Jesus even when His teachings are challenging. We should trust in Him and seek to understand His words more deeply through prayer and reflection.
Choosing to Follow God
The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B reminds us that faith is a choice. In the first reading, Joshua tells the Israelites to decide if they will serve God. He urges them to remember God’s faithfulness and commit to Him fully.
The second reading speaks about love and unity in marriage. It compares the relationship between husband and wife to Christ and the Church. This shows that love should be selfless, enduring, and built on mutual respect.
The Gospel highlights the challenges of following Jesus. Some disciples struggle with His teachings and walk away. Peter, however, stays and declares his faith. The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B teaches us to trust in God, commit to Him, and remain faithful even when the path is difficult.
Your Turn
The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B invites us to reflect on our faith and commitment. Joshua calls the people to choose God, and Jesus challenges His followers to accept His teachings. These readings remind us that faith is a decision we must make every day. Do we trust in God, even when it is hard?
Take time to read and reflect on the passages. Think about how they connect to your life. Share your thoughts in the comments. How do you stay committed to God? What helps you to follow Him when the path is not easy?