Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
Tuesday August 17, 2027
Trusting God’s Plan Today
Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 gives us three powerful readings about faith, courage, and following Jesus. These stories show how God works in the lives of ordinary people. He calls them to do hard things, and He promises to help them along the way.
In the first reading, God speaks to Gideon. Gideon is unsure and afraid, but God tells him to lead. This reminds us that God can use anyone, even when we feel weak or unsure.
The psalm offers a prayer for peace and mercy. It shows what happens when people turn back to God. He blesses the land and brings justice and truth.
The Gospel reminds us that riches can make it hard to follow Jesus. But with God, anything is possible. On Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are invited to trust God’s plan and stay close to Him.
Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – Judges 6:11-24a: Gideon is called by God to save Israel from the Midianites. Despite his doubts, he receives a sign confirming God’s presence and builds an altar in response.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 85: God proclaims peace to His people, showing kindness, truth, justice, and salvation. His benefits will be given, and the land will flourish under His just guidance.
- Gospel – Matthew 19:23-30: It is hard for the rich to enter heaven, but with God, all is possible. Those who follow Jesus will be rewarded greatly.
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 even numbered years see Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:23
Themes for the Readings for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
The readings for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 offer insights into God’s guidance and the challenges of following Him. They teach about trust in God’s plan and the sacrifices needed to follow Christ.
- God’s Calling: God calls Gideon to save Israel from their enemies. This shows how God often chooses ordinary people for His work.
- Trust in God: Gideon is afraid and unsure. God reassures him, teaching us to trust in God even when we feel weak.
- Sacrifice for God: The Gospel tells us about the difficulty for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This shows the need to let go of earthly attachments to follow Christ.
- God’s Power: Gideon’s story shows that God can use anyone to achieve His purposes. Even the weakest among us can be strong with God’s help.
- Humility: The Gospel emphasizes humility. The first will be last, and the last will be first in God’s Kingdom.
- Rewards in Heaven: Jesus promises rewards to those who give up everything for Him. This encourages us to keep our eyes on heavenly rewards.
- Obedience to God: Gideon obeys God’s command despite his fear. His obedience shows the importance of following God’s will.
- God’s Presence: God assures Gideon of His presence. This reminds us that God is always with us, especially in difficult times.
These themes help us understand the importance of trusting and obeying God. They remind us that following Christ may be difficult, but it leads to eternal rewards.
Reflection for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
The readings for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 offer us deep lessons about God’s call, His power in our weakness, and the importance of humility. Through the story of Gideon and Jesus’ teachings, we learn how God works through ordinary people, strengthens us in our weakness, and values humility over worldly success.
God Chooses Ordinary People
On Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we read about Gideon. God calls Gideon, an ordinary man, to save Israel from their enemies. Gideon is afraid and unsure of himself. He feels weak and wonders why God chose him.
This story shows us that God often chooses ordinary people for His work. God does not look for the strongest or the most talented. He looks for those who are willing to trust and obey Him. Gideon’s fear and doubt are normal human feelings, but God reassures him and gives him the strength he needs.
We can relate to Gideon’s feelings of fear and inadequacy. Sometimes, we may feel that we are not good enough or strong enough to do what God asks of us. But Gideon’s story teaches us that God is with us. When we trust Him, He can use us to do great things.
Gideon’s example encourages us to say yes to God, even when we feel afraid. God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. By trusting in God and following His call, we can accomplish more than we ever thought possible.
On Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, let us remember that God calls ordinary people like Gideon and us. We do not need to be perfect or fearless. We only need to trust in God and be willing to follow His call.
Strength in Weakness
On Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we see how God uses Gideon to achieve His purposes. Gideon feels weak and unimportant, yet God chooses him to lead Israel. Gideon’s story shows that God can use anyone, even the weakest among us.
Gideon’s weakness is not a problem for God. Instead, it is an opportunity for God to show His power. God’s reassurance to Gideon is a reminder that with God’s help, we can be strong. Jesus also says that with God, all things are possible.
When we feel weak or inadequate, we can look to Gideon’s story for encouragement. God does not need us to be strong on our own. He wants us to rely on His strength. Gideon’s success was not because of his own abilities, but because he trusted in God.
In our own lives, we may face challenges that seem too big for us. We may feel too weak to overcome them. But just as God helped Gideon, He will help us too. We need to remember that God is with us and that His strength is greater than any challenge.
On Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, let us take comfort in knowing that our weakness can become strength with God’s help. We can face our challenges with confidence, knowing that with God, all things are possible.
The Last Will Be First
The Gospel reading for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 emphasizes humility. Jesus tells us that the first will be last, and the last will be first in God’s Kingdom. This teaching challenges our usual way of thinking about success and status.
In our world, being first is often seen as most important. People strive to be the best, the richest, or the most powerful. But Jesus turns this idea upside down. He teaches that true greatness comes from humility and serving others.
Gideon’s story fits this teaching well. He did not see himself as important or strong. He saw himself as weak and unimportant. Yet, God chose him for a great task. Gideon’s humility and willingness to follow God’s call made him great in God’s eyes.
We can apply this lesson to our own lives. Instead of seeking our own glory, we should seek to serve others. We should be humble and willing to do even the smallest tasks for God. True greatness comes from putting others first and trusting in God’s plan.
On Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, let us remember Jesus’ words and strive to be humble. Let us serve others and put them first, knowing that in God’s Kingdom, the last will be first.
These reflections for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach us valuable lessons about God’s call, His strength in our weakness, and the importance of humility. By learning from Gideon and Jesus’ teachings, we can better understand how to live out our faith in everyday life.
Prayer
Lord, help us to trust in Your call, even when we feel weak and afraid. Strengthen us with Your power and teach us to be humble. May we always seek to serve others and follow Your will. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How can Gideon’s story encourage you to trust in God when you feel weak or unworthy?
- What challenges in your life seem too big to handle, and how can you rely on God’s strength to face them?
- How can Jesus’ teaching about the last being first inspire you to practice humility in your daily life?
- In what ways can you serve others and show humility, even in small, everyday tasks?
Homilies and Commentaries for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Step Up, Cry Out, and Do Something!
On Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Fr. James Marchionda invites us to look at the gospel message through the lens of nations, not just individuals. He reminds us that Jesus’ teaching about wealth challenges entire peoples and governments. The final judgment, he says, will measure how nations respond to the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the vulnerable. It is not enough for wealth to serve only national pride or security.
Fr. Marchionda points to the misuse of resources on weapons and self-interest while so many in the world suffer. He urges us to pray for leaders and speak out so that nations use their riches to lift others up. He calls us to step up, cry out, and act, so that our communities and countries place their wealth at the service of God’s kingdom, helping the world rather than only themselves.
Following Jesus Fully
In Matthew 18, a rich young man asks Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, and the man replies that he already has. Then Jesus invites him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. The man walks away because he has many possessions. Jesus explains that it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom, but nothing is impossible for God. Those who leave family and possessions for His sake will receive far more in return.
Deacon Miller reflects that this is not a contradiction. Honoring parents is still commanded, but giving everything to God helps us love them more fully. When we place God first, He teaches us how to love others with greater depth and openness. By surrendering to God, we discover true love, kindness, and faith. This is the call of Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.
Can Anyone Be Saved?
The gospel reminds us that entering the kingdom of heaven is not easy, especially for those weighed down by riches and attachments. Jesus uses the image of a camel passing through the eye of a needle to show how hard it can be. Matthew Kelly explains that this is not just about money, but about all the baggage we carry in life. To follow Jesus, we must be willing to humble ourselves, let go of what holds us back, and trust in God’s promise of eternal life.
In his reflection for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Matthew Kelly points out that even the disciples wondered who could be saved, which shows they saw everyone as rich in some way. We all have blessings, gifts, or attachments that can keep us from God. Yet Jesus assures us that with God all things are possible, and he promises a hundredfold return to those who follow him.
Detachment and Seeing Beauty in Reality
In this Gospel reflection for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron discusses the difficulty of a rich person entering the kingdom of heaven, defining richness not just as wealth but as a mindset. He explains that this mindset seeks joy in possessions and ego, contrasting it with Jesus’ teaching that surrendering worldly attachments leads to eternal life.
Bishop Barron emphasizes that Jesus’ promise is not a mere capitalist calculation but a spiritual truth. When you let go of worldly possessions in a spirit of detachment, you begin to see them as beautiful realities rather than objects of manipulation or possession.
Love Over Riches
This reflection for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time explores Jesus’ teaching from Matthew’s gospel, highlighting the difficulty for a rich person to enter heaven. It emphasizes that the love of God should be at the center of life, surpassing all earthly attachments.
A personal anecdote illustrates that selling a cherished car to help others was more fulfilling because love for family and God outweighed the love for material possessions. The central message encourages loving God more than anything else and being willing to prioritize that love in our actions and decisions.
Resources
The Book of Judges: God Chooses the Weak
In Judges, Israel repeatedly turns away from God, falls into trouble, and is rescued by judges raised up by God. On Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we hear how Gideon, a hesitant and humble man, is chosen to save Israel. This fits the pattern of God working through unlikely people to show His strength.
Gideon’s story highlights the theme of trust in God’s power, not human might. His doubts and request for a sign reflect Israel’s shaky faith, yet God remains patient and present. This encounter reminds the people that salvation comes through God’s initiative.
Psalm 85: Peace and Faithfulness
Psalm 85 is a prayer of hope for restoration. It speaks to a time when the people long for God’s mercy and guidance. On Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, this psalm echoes the call for renewed relationship with God. It looks forward to a time when righteousness and peace will embrace.
The psalm fits into the larger theme of return and reconciliation. It offers a vision of what life can be when the people turn back to God—truth will spring up, justice will walk ahead, and the land will thrive.
The Gospel of Matthew: Riches and the Kingdom
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus often teaches about the upside-down values of God’s kingdom. On Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, He warns that wealth can become a barrier to entering heaven. This challenges the idea that riches are a sign of God’s favor.
This passage supports the Gospel’s focus on discipleship, humility, and trust. Jesus assures His followers that sacrifices for the kingdom will not be forgotten. The reward is not just later but begins now, in the community of believers.
Social Media Graphics and Bulletin Artwork
The Narrow Gate Blooms
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Questions and Answers for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Who is Gideon in the first reading for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Gideon is an ordinary man chosen by God to save Israel from their enemies. He feels weak and unsure but trusts in God’s guidance.
Why is Gideon afraid?
Gideon is afraid because he thinks he is not strong enough to save Israel. God reassures him, teaching us to trust in God’s strength, not our own.
How can we apply Gideon’s story to our lives?
Gideon’s story shows that God can use anyone, no matter how weak they feel. Trust in God’s plan and be willing to follow His call.
Why does God choose Gideon despite his fear?
God chooses Gideon to show that He can work through anyone. God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.
How does God reassure Gideon?
God reassures Gideon by telling him He will be with him. This teaches us that God is always with us, even in tough times.
What does Jesus mean by saying it is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
Jesus means that people who love money and possessions may find it hard to follow Him fully. We should focus on God, not on wealth.
Why does Jesus say the first will be last and the last will be first?
Jesus teaches that humility and serving others are important in God’s Kingdom. Earthly status does not matter to God.
What is the main lesson from the Gospel reading for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The main lesson is to prioritize God over material things. This can mean making sacrifices and trusting in God’s promises.
What does Jesus promise to those who leave everything for Him?
Jesus promises that they will receive eternal life and many blessings. This encourages us to focus on heavenly rewards.
What does it mean to trust in God?
Trusting in God means believing in His plan and relying on His strength. It means letting go of our fears and doubts.
God’s Strength in Our Weakness
The readings for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach us how God works through ordinary people and the importance of humility. In the first reading, we meet Gideon, who feels unworthy and weak. Yet God calls him to lead Israel against their enemies. Gideon’s story shows that God does not look for the strongest but for those willing to trust Him. Through obedience and faith, Gideon begins to understand that God’s power can work through his weakness.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges worldly ideas of success and importance. He says that the last will be first, and the first will be last. This teaching turns our values upside down, showing that humility and service matter more than status or power. Jesus encourages us to let go of our pride and focus on serving others with love and simplicity.
Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us to trust God’s plan, even when we feel weak or inadequate. It also calls us to practice humility and put others first. These lessons guide us to live with faith, trust, and love.
Your Turn
Reflect on the story of Gideon and think about moments when you felt unworthy of God’s call. How can you trust Him to work through your weaknesses? Consider ways you can practice humility in your daily life.
Take a moment to share your thoughts in the comments. How do these readings from Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 inspire you to live out your faith? Your reflections might encourage someone else in their journey!
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