20th Sunday of the Year (c)
Ordinary Season of the Year. (c)
Weekdays – Year 2.
Sunday 14th August: 20th Sunday of the Year. (c)
The first reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah. He has become a problem to the people. Some want to kill him because of what they consider the bad news he brings and the way in which he challenges their way of life. Others are afraid to kill him because they see him as a prophet sent by God.
The passage from the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that we are called to put to one side whatever prevents us concentrating on the person of Jesus and building our lives around him.
Jesus’ words are full of contradiction. He will bring peace and division. He does not bring comfort and following him will bring many hard decisions for those who wish to do so.
Monday 15th August: Solemnity of the Assumption.
After her life on earth was over, Our Lady died but immediately her body was assumed into heaven so that it did not undergo corruption. This feast has been described as Our Lady’s Easter since we celebrate not only her passing from this life but also her resurrection and ascension into the glory of heaven. Pope Pius XII officially promulgated this dogma of the Church on 1st November 1950.
Tuesday 16th August: Tuesday in the 20th week of the year.
Ezekiel is now in Babylon with the people who have been exiled. He tries through his teaching to bring hope to them in their darkness. He also warns the Jews about following the example of the surrounding countries and turn away from God because of what has happened to them,
Jesus continues his teaching on the difficulties caused by material possessions and about how they can obstruct and damage our relationship with him.
Wednesday 17th August:Wednesday in the 20th week of the year.
Today Ezekiel speaks against all the false prophets that led the people away from God. They will be called to account. The flock will be taken from them and the Lord will look after the remnant himself.
The Gospel passage presents with the familiar parable of the landowner and the workers in the vineyard. The owner gives payment to the latecomers to the same level as those who had worked long and hard in the heat of the sun. It stresses the generosity and love of God who knows no favourites.
Thursday 18th August: Thursday in the 20th week of the year.
The people are in exile, sad, depressed worried about their future. Ezekiel gives them a message of great hope. They will be given new hearts to replace their hearts of stone which turned them against God in the first place. They will be restored to their land by God who will be their God and they will be his people.
Jesus preaches the parable of the landlord and the workers in the vineyard to stress the power and generosity of God’s love.
Friday 19th August: Friday in the 20th week of the year.
Today we have the famous vision of the dry bones. The house of Israel has been devastated and is in disarray. It is a desolate time for the people. However, it is to be given a new life. Their time of purification will be over soon and they will return from exile to their old land and be God’s people again.
In response to another attempt to trap him, Jesus again stresses the basic commandments – love God, love your neighbour. Both of these were basic to what was expected of all Jews so there was no change in Jesus’ teaching.
Saturday 20th August: Memorial of St. Bernard.
Bernard was born in 1090 near Dijon in France. At the age of 22, he entered the Cistercian monastery of Citeaux along with 30 of his friends. He was eventually chosen as Abbot of a new foundation in Clairvaux where he led a life of intense prayer. He was still able to respond to requests for help and advice from Popes and Kings as well as attend Councils of the Church. He died in 1153.
