Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; and Luke 12:49-53. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 40 (Psalm 40:2-4, 18).

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

YouTube: Psalm 40: Lord, Come to My Aid

The Gospel reading is as follows: 

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time (August 18, 2019)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 18, 2019)

Community in Mission: The Battle Is Engaged - Choose Sides! (17 AUG 19)

Crossroads Initiative: Why We Stone Prophets

The Sacred Page: Jesus and "Family Values": 20th Sunday in OT (13 AUG 19)

The Sacred Page: Jesus Came to Cast Fire on the Earth (The Mass Readings Explained) (12 AUG 19)

St. Paul Center: Consuming Fire: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Word on Fire: Fate of the Prophet (Cycle C * Ordinary Time * Week 20)

Catholic News Agency: Pope Francis: Discover the beauty of prayer in adoration (18 AUG 19)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: Setting the World on Fire With Divine Love (15 AUG 19)

Spirituality of the Readings: Furious Love (20th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

In Exile: God as Victim (20th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Jesus, Perfecter of Faith (20th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

The Word Engaged: Disturbing Faith (20th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Historical Cultural Context: Salt of the Earth (20th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Denis the Carthusian (20th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)