Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; and Luke 13:22-30. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 117 (Psalm 117:1-2). 

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?"

He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from. And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 21, 2016)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 21, 2016)

Community in Mission: Sober and Serious about Salvation - A Homily for the 21st Sunday of the Year (20 AUG 16)

Crossroads Initiative: Year C: Ordinary Time: 21st Sunday: Narrow Door to a Universal Church

Aleteia: Deacon Greg Kandra: Walking the balance beam: Homily for August 21, 2016, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (29 AUG 16) 

The Sacred Page: Will Many Be Saved? 21st Sunday in OT (19 AUG 16)

The Sacred Page: Will Only a Few People be Saved?: Mass Readings Explained (The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time) (18 AUG 16)

Word on Fire: The Narrow Gate (Cycle C * Ordinary Time * Week 21)

Catholic World Report: The Dispatch: How narrow is the way of the Cross? (19 AUG 16)

Spirituality of the Readings: Heaven’s Gate (21st Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Insiders And Outsiders (21st Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

The Word Embodied: Consoling Hope (21st Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Historical Cultural Context: Insiders & Outsiders (21st Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Anselm of Canterbury (21st Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (20 AUG 16)