Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Ezekiel 43:1-7ab: The angel shows the vision of God’s glory coming from the east, filling the temple. God proclaims that the temple will be his dwelling place among the children of Israel forever.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 85: God promises peace and salvation to those who fear him, and his glory will dwell in the land. Kindness, truth, justice, and peace will unite, and the land will yield its increase.
• Gospel – Matthew 23:1-12: Jesus warns the crowds and his disciples to follow the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees but not their hypocritical example. He emphasizes humility and cautions against self-exaltation.

Lectionary Reference: 424

Upcoming dates: August 22, 2026, August 26, 2028, August 21, 2032

Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.

Matthew 23:3

On Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings encourage us to reflect on the presence of God and the humility needed in our lives. These themes guide us to live faithfully and focus on God’s will rather than our own desires.

• God’s Glory: The first reading from Ezekiel highlights the return of God’s glory to the Temple. This reminds us that God’s presence is sacred and should be honored in our lives and communities.
• The Presence of God: Ezekiel’s vision shows God’s presence coming to dwell among His people. This encourages us to recognize that God is with us and wants to guide us in all things.
• Humility in Leadership: The Gospel reading from Matthew warns against seeking honor and titles. Jesus teaches that true greatness comes from serving others, not from being exalted.
• Avoiding Hypocrisy: Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their hypocrisy. He calls us to be sincere in our actions and to live according to what we preach.
• Servant Leadership: Jesus says that the greatest among us must be the servant of all. This challenges us to lead by example and put others before ourselves.
• God’s Sovereignty: Ezekiel’s vision emphasizes that God alone is in control. We are reminded to trust in His plan rather than rely on our own understanding.

These themes from Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 guide us to live humbly and stay close to God. By focusing on His presence and following Jesus’ example, we can live out our faith more fully.

On Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings invite us to reflect on the importance of honoring God’s presence, living with sincerity, and understanding true worship. These themes challenge us to look closely at how we live our faith daily and how we allow God to guide our actions.

Honoring God’s Sacred Presence

On Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the first reading from Ezekiel shows the return of God’s glory to the Temple. This moment is significant because it reminds us that God’s presence is sacred and should be honored. Just as the Temple was a special place for God, our lives and communities should also be places where God is welcomed and respected.

We honor God’s presence by creating an environment where He can dwell. This means living in a way that reflects His goodness and truth. It also means recognizing that God is with us in our everyday lives, guiding us and helping us to grow closer to Him.

In our communities, we can honor God by treating others with kindness and respect. When we see every person as a reflection of God’s presence, we help to create a space where God’s glory can shine. The reading for Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 calls us to make our hearts and homes places where God is always welcome.

The Call to Sincerity

In the Gospel for Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their hypocrisy. He calls them out for not practicing what they preach. This message is a strong reminder for us to be sincere in our actions and words.

Being sincere means that what we say and what we do should match. If we talk about kindness, we must also show kindness in our actions. If we speak about faith, we should live in a way that reflects our trust in God. Jesus wants us to be people of integrity, where our faith is visible in every aspect of our lives.

On Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded that sincerity is essential to following Jesus. It’s not enough to know what is right; we must also do what is right. By living out our faith in a sincere way, we honor God and inspire others to do the same.

True Worship in Action

A theme that ties together both the first reading and the Gospel for Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 is the idea of true worship. In Ezekiel, God’s glory returns to the Temple, highlighting the importance of worshiping God in the right way. In the Gospel, Jesus criticizes the leaders for their empty words and lack of true worship in their actions.

True worship is not just about rituals and words. It is about living a life that honors God in everything we do. In the first reading, God’s presence fills the Temple, showing that worship begins with recognizing and honoring God’s presence in our lives. In the Gospel, Jesus shows that worship must also be reflected in how we treat others and how we live out our faith.

On Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are called to examine our own worship. Do we honor God with both our words and our actions? True worship means giving our whole selves to God—through prayer, service, and living according to His will. When we do this, we truly reflect God’s glory in our lives and in the world around us.

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As we meditate on the themes from Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded to honor God in all aspects of our lives. By living with sincerity and practicing true worship, we draw closer to God and bring His presence into our hearts, homes, and communities.

Prayer

Lord, help us to honor Your presence in our lives. Grant us the grace to live with sincerity and to worship You in all we do. Guide our actions and words so that they reflect Your goodness. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I honor God’s presence in my daily life?
• In what ways can I be more sincere in my words and actions?
• Do my actions reflect true worship, or are they just empty rituals?
• How can I bring God’s presence into my community through my actions?

The Virtue of Humility

In his reflection on the Gospel for Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on humility, emphasizing the contrast between the pride of the Pharisees and the virtue of humility.

Using thoughts from St. Augustine, St. Paul, and Thomas Aquinas, Bishop Barron illustrates how humility is recognizing the truth about our relationship with God. He points out the challenge in living out this truth in a world where the ego often takes precedence, and he portrays humility not as degradation but as an elevation and a liberation from the ego.

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

The next date is Saturday August 22, 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 Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

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

The Mass readings for Saturday August 22, 2026 are:
First Reading – Ezekiel 43:1-7ab: Glory in the Temple
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 85: Glory and Justice in the Land
Gospel – Matthew 23:1-12: Humility and Hypocrisy

Why is God’s glory important in the first reading for Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

God’s glory in the first reading shows His presence returning to the Temple. This teaches us to respect God’s presence in our lives and to make our hearts a place where God can dwell.

How does the first reading help us trust in God?

The first reading shows that God is always in control and is with us. This encourages us to trust in God’s plan for our lives instead of relying only on ourselves.

How can I recognize God’s presence?

The first reading shows God returning to dwell with His people. We can recognize God’s presence by staying close to Him in prayer and following His guidance in our lives.

What does it mean when Jesus talks about the Pharisees in the Gospel for Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus points out that the Pharisees do not practice what they preach. This reminds us to be honest and to live according to the faith we speak about.

How can I practice humility?

The Gospel calls us to be humble by serving others. Instead of seeking praise, we should focus on helping those around us.

Why does Jesus say the greatest must be a servant?

Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in serving others. We are called to lead by example, putting others’ needs before our own.

Why is hypocrisy criticized in the Gospel?

Hypocrisy is criticized because it leads people away from truth. Jesus calls us to be sincere and to live in a way that matches our words.