Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Isaiah 22:19-23, Romans 11:33-36, and Matthew 16:13-20. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 138 (Psalm 138:1-3, 6, 8).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 138 (Responsorial Psalm) Lord, Your Love is Eternal; Do not Forsake the Work of Your Hands

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 24, 2014)

Msgr. Charles Pope: If No One Is Pope, Everyone is Pope – A Homily for the 21st Sunday of the Year (23 AUG 14)

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: Peter, the Pope and the Bible

The Sacred Page: Peter and the Popes: The 21st Sunday of OT (20 AUG 14)

Word on Fire: Inscrutable and Faithful (Cycle A * Ordinary Time * Week 21)

Dr. Scott Hahn: ‘Oh, the Depths!’ (August 24th 2014 - Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time)

The Catholic World Report Blog: The Papacy and Sacred Scripture (23 AUG 14)

Servant and Steward: Homily - 24 August 2014 - The Twenty-first Sunday of the Year (A) (23 AUG 14)

Spirituality of the Readings: Faith that Saves (21st Sunday of Ordinary Time A)

The Word Embodied: Rock of Ages (21st Sunday of Ordinary Time A)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by John Chrysostom (21st Sunday of Ordinary Time A)

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary of Time (22 AUG 14)