21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

• First Reading – Isaiah 66:18-21: The Lord gathers people from all nations to see his glory and spread it. They will bring offerings and some will become priests and Levites.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 117: Praise the Lord, all nations. His kindness is steadfast, and his faithfulness lasts forever.
• Second Reading – Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13: God disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines his children. Endure trials as discipline; they will later bring righteousness and healing.
• Gospel – Luke 13:22-30: Jesus teaches that many will try to enter through the narrow gate but fail. He warns that some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.

The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C offers rich readings that focus on themes of inclusion, humility, and God’s call to all people. These themes encourage us to reflect on God’s invitation to enter His kingdom and the attitudes we should cultivate to be part of His family.

• Universal Call: The readings remind us that God calls people from all nations to know Him. Isaiah speaks of gathering people from distant lands, showing God’s desire for a diverse and inclusive family.
• Discipline and Growth: In Hebrews, we learn that God disciplines those He loves, like a parent guides a child. This discipline helps us grow in righteousness and peace.
• Humility and Effort: Jesus emphasizes the need to strive to enter through the narrow gate. This requires humility and effort, recognizing that salvation is not automatic but involves our cooperation.
• Reversal of Expectations: The Gospel warns that some who are last will be first and some first will be last. This teaches us not to be complacent or assume our place is secure without genuine faith and love.
• The Importance of Listening: Listening to God’s word is crucial for entering His kingdom. Hebrews stresses the importance of hearing and responding to God’s call with a willing heart.
• Judgment and Accountability: The readings highlight the reality of judgment. Jesus’ teaching on the narrow gate reminds us that we will be accountable for our choices and actions.

These themes encourage us to live faithfully and humbly, recognizing God’s call to all and the importance of our response. Reflecting on these messages helps us understand our role in God’s plan and the importance of our commitment to Him.

See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.

Guide Me to Heaven Game

“Guide Me to Heaven” is a game that helps youth understand the importance of following clear guidance, similar to the Church’s teachings. This aligns with the message of the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, where Jesus speaks about striving to enter through the narrow gate. The game shows that having clear instructions for the journey to heaven, like those from the Church, makes the journey smoother and easier. By comparing different sets of rules, youth learn how the Church’s guidance helps us stay on the right path to heaven.

How Many Will Be Saved?

In his homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Bishop Robert Barron discusses the controversial topic of salvation and who will be saved. He explains that Jesus challenges the common belief that only a select few, the insiders, will be saved. Bishop Barron emphasizes that God’s mercy is far greater and more inclusive than we can imagine. He encourages believers to expand their hope and trust in God’s boundless mercy, suggesting that it may encompass more people than we expect. This reflection invites us to avoid limiting God’s grace to our narrow views.

The readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C offer deep insights into God’s love and our journey as His followers. They highlight themes of inclusiveness, discipline, and the challenges of true discipleship. Each reflection explores how these themes invite us to grow closer to God and live out our faith in everyday life.

God’s Inclusive Invitation

The readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C emphasize God’s call to all people, no matter where they come from. In Isaiah, we see God’s promise to gather people from distant lands. This shows that God desires a diverse and inclusive family. He does not limit His love to one group; He invites everyone to know Him.

This message is important because it reminds us that God’s love is universal. We are all invited to be part of His family, regardless of our background, culture, or nationality. This inclusive call challenges us to be open and welcoming to others. We are called to share God’s love with everyone, not just those who are like us.

In a world often divided by differences, the readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C offer a hopeful message. They remind us that God’s kingdom is for all people. We should work to break down barriers and build bridges. By doing so, we reflect God’s love and His desire for unity.

This call to inclusion also challenges us personally. We need to examine our attitudes and behaviors. Are we welcoming to all people, or do we hold prejudices? The readings invite us to embrace others with the same love that God shows us.

On this 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, we are reminded that we are all part of God’s plan. He calls us to be a part of His diverse and inclusive family. Let us respond to His invitation by loving and welcoming others, just as He loves and welcomes us.

The Loving Discipline of God

The readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C teach us about God’s loving discipline. In the book of Hebrews, we learn that God disciplines those He loves, just as a parent disciplines a child. This might seem hard to accept, but it is a sign of His care for us. God’s discipline helps us grow and become better people.

Discipline is not always easy. It can be uncomfortable and challenging. However, just like a parent wants the best for their child, God wants the best for us. He uses discipline to guide us and help us grow in righteousness and peace. This process helps us develop good habits and virtues.

The readings remind us that God’s discipline is part of His love. He corrects us not to punish, but to help us grow. It is an expression of His desire for us to be holy and to live in peace. This perspective can help us accept challenges and difficulties in our lives. We can trust that God is guiding us through them.

As we reflect on the readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, we can think about how we respond to discipline. Do we resist and complain, or do we try to learn and grow? God’s discipline is a chance for us to become more like Him. It is an opportunity to grow in our faith and character.

On this 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, let us embrace God’s discipline with an open heart. Let us remember that He disciplines us because He loves us. By accepting His guidance, we can grow in righteousness and peace, becoming the people He calls us to be.

The Challenge of Following Jesus

Following Jesus is challenging. The readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C remind us of this. Jesus attracted many people with His message of love and healing. People wanted to hear His words and see His miracles. However, when He spoke about taking up a cross and the difficulties of being a disciple, some people turned away. They were not ready for the hard parts of following Him.

Many people had their reasons for following Jesus. Some hoped for healing, others wanted freedom from Roman rule, and some sought relief from strict religious practices. While these are good desires, they missed the full meaning of discipleship. Jesus called His followers to do the Father’s will, not just to fulfill their personal agendas.

We might also have our own reasons for being part of the Church. Maybe we want to see positive changes in society, enjoy being part of a community, or admire the Church’s teachings. These are all good things, but they are not the whole picture. True discipleship means knowing Jesus personally and following His teachings, even when it is hard.

The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C reminds us that following Jesus is not just about the benefits. It also involves sacrifice and commitment. There will be tough times and challenges that test our faith. We might face rejection, misunderstandings, or even persecution. But if we truly love Jesus, we will stay committed to Him.

Being a disciple means making sacrifices. It might mean giving up our comfort, changing our plans, or putting others first. Jesus asks us to follow Him, even when it leads to a cross. This requires effort and sometimes pain, but it also brings true joy and peace.

On this 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, we are reminded to examine our motives for following Jesus. Are we looking for what we can get, or are we willing to give our all for Him? Jesus invites us to a deep and true relationship with Him. This relationship requires commitment and a willingness to face difficulties.

As we reflect on these readings, let’s ask for the strength to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Let us be ready to take up our cross and follow Him, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. The journey might be tough, but it leads to eternal life with Him.

As we meditate on these reflections for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, we are called to embrace God’s inclusive love, accept His loving discipline, and commit ourselves fully to following Jesus. These readings challenge us to deepen our faith, welcome others, and persevere through life’s trials. Let us open our hearts to God’s guidance and live as true disciples of Christ.

Prayer

Lord, help us to follow You with open hearts and minds. Guide us to be welcoming to all and teach us through Your loving discipline. Give us the strength to embrace our cross and stay faithful on our journey with You. Amen.

• How can we be more inclusive and welcoming to others in our community?
• In what ways have we experienced God’s discipline in our lives?
• What personal agendas might distract us from truly following Jesus?
• How do we respond to challenges and difficulties in our faith journey?
• What sacrifices might we need to make to follow Jesus more closely?
• How can we grow in our understanding of God’s universal love?
• What does it mean to take up our cross in our daily lives?
• How can we encourage others to embrace the full message of Jesus, including the challenges?
• In what areas of our lives do we need to trust more in God’s guidance?
• How can we support one another in our faith community as we strive to follow Jesus?

The music selections for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C focus on themes of inclusivity, God’s guidance, and our call to spread the Good News. These songs reflect the universal call to salvation and the importance of welcoming all into the community of faith. They also emphasize trusting in God’s guidance and being ready to follow His path. The music encourages believers to share God’s love and message with others, echoing the readings’ themes of outreach and community.

• Abide with Me
• All Are Welcome
• All Are Welcome, All Belong
• All Who Enter Here
• Be Thou My Vision
• Eye Has Not Seen
• Find Us Ready
• For You Are My God
• From All that Dwell Below the Skies
• Gather Your People
• Go Into the World
• Go Out, Go Out
• How Can I Keep From Singing
• In Christ There Is No East or West
• Lead Me, Lord
• Let God Arise
• Many and One
• Open Up the Heavens
• Our God Is Here
• Psalm 117
• Psalm 117: Go Out to All the World and Tell the Good News
• Table of Plenty
• The Lord Is My Light
• Turn to Me
• Unwavering
• You Are My All in All
• Your Love Is Alive

Music directors and musicians are encouraged to explore these selections and consider how they can enhance the liturgy. Please share your thoughts and additional song suggestions in the comments. This collaboration can help create a rich musical experience that reflects the themes of the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.

What date is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The next date is Sunday August 24, 2025.
For other years see the links below:
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

What are the Mass readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The Mass readings for Sunday August 24, 2025 are:
First Reading – Isaiah 66:18-21: God Gathers the Nations
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 117: Tell the Good News
Second Reading – Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13: Endure God’s Discipline
Gospel – Luke 13:22-30: The Narrow Gate

What does it mean that God will “send some to the nations” in the first reading for 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

This means that God will send messengers to spread His word to all people. It encourages us on the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C to share our faith with others.

How can we apply the message of Isaiah about gathering nations to our lives?

The message from Isaiah on the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C encourages us to be welcoming and inclusive. We should embrace diversity and invite others to learn about God’s love.

What does Isaiah 66:18-21 teach us about God’s call?

In the first reading for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Isaiah tells us that God calls people from all nations to worship Him. This teaches us that God’s love and invitation are open to everyone, regardless of background.

How should we understand the idea of discipline in Hebrews 12:5-7?

On the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Hebrews speaks of discipline as a sign of God’s love. Just like a parent guides a child, God’s discipline helps us grow and become better people.

What does the “narrow gate” mean in the Gospel for 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The “narrow gate” in the Gospel of 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C represents the effort and commitment needed to follow Jesus. It shows that following Christ isn’t easy and requires dedication and sincere faith.

Why does Jesus say, “some are last who will be first”?

On the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Jesus means that people who are humble and serve others will be honored by God. Those who think they are important may find themselves last if they lack true faith and humility.

Why does the Gospel mention people “knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open to us’”?

In the Gospel reading for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, this phrase shows that some people may not be ready when the time comes. It reminds us to live faithfully and always be prepared to meet God.

What does it mean to “strive to enter through the narrow door”?

For the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, striving means putting effort into living a life that pleases God. It involves practicing faith, love, and humility in our daily lives.

How do these readings for 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C help us prepare for God’s kingdom?

The readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C help us understand the importance of being humble, faithful, and ready. They remind us to live according to God’s teachings and be aware that our actions matter.

What should we take away from the readings about God’s judgment?

On the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, the readings remind us that God’s judgment is real. We should live responsibly, knowing that our choices and actions are important to God.