Saint of the day · August 16
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
20ème dimanche du Temps Ordinaire (semaine IV du Psautier)
Liturgical colour : Green
The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time is part of the liturgical sequence that structures the Church's calendar outside of major feast seasons. Ordinary Time invites the faithful to reflect on the mysteries of Christ in a steady, ongoing rhythm, marked by growth, hope, and the lived Christian witness in daily life. The readings for this Sunday often address themes of faith’s universality, God’s mercy, and the call to deeper discipleship; for instance, Gospel passages might recount Jesus’ interactions with those outside Israel, highlighting the openness of God's grace.
During Ordinary Time, the green liturgical color symbolizes hope and life, expressing the Church's continual walk with Christ amid daily struggles and joys. This period encourages believers to seek holiness in the ordinary and to recognize God's presence in every aspect of life. The Twentieth Sunday is an opportunity to contemplate how Christ challenges us to expand our understanding of love, inclusion, and the boundaries of compassion. Through scripture, prayer, and the Eucharist, the faithful are renewed in their mission to serve, evangelize, and grow ever closer to God within the context of ordinary, ongoing life.
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Mass readings
“Foreigners, I will bring them to my holy mountain” — Is 56, 1.6-7
Thus says the Lord:
Observe what is right,
and practice justice,
for my salvation is near, it is coming,
and my justice will soon be revealed.
The foreigners who have joined themselves to the Lord
to serve him, to love his name,
to become his servants,
all who keep the sabbath and do not profane it,
and hold fast to my covenant,
I will bring them to my holy mountain,
I will fill them with joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar,
for my house will be called
“A house of prayer for all peoples.”
– The word of the Lord.
Ps 66 (67), 2-3, 5, 7-8
May God take pity on us and bless us,
may your face shine upon us;
And your way will be known on earth,
your salvation among all the nations.
Let the nations sing for joy,
for you rule the world with justice;
you guide the peoples with uprightness,
upon the earth you lead the nations.
The earth has yielded its fruit;
God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us,
and may the whole earth worship Him!
“With regard to Israel, God’s gracious gifts and his call are irrevocable” — Rm 11, 13-15.29-32
Brothers and sisters,
I am speaking to you, who come from the Gentiles:
insofar as I myself am an apostle to the Gentiles,
I honor my ministry,
but in the hope of stirring up jealousy among my own people according to the flesh,
and saving some of them.
For if the world was reconciled with God
when they were set aside,
what will happen when they are included again?
It will be life for those who were dead!
The free gifts of God and his call are irrevocable.
Once, indeed, you refused to believe in God,
and now, as a result of their refusal to believe,
you have obtained mercy;
likewise, now, it is they who have refused to believe,
by reason of the mercy shown to you,
but it is so they too may receive mercy.
For God has bound all in disobedience
in order to show mercy to all.
– The word of the Lord.
“Woman, great is your faith!” — Mt 15, 21-28
At that time,
leaving Gennesaret,
Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman, coming from those territories, cried out:
“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But he did not answer her a word.
The disciples came to him to ask:
“Send her away,
for she keeps shouting after us!”
Jesus replied:
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But she came and knelt before him saying:
“Lord, help me!”
He replied:
“It is not right to take the children's bread
and throw it to the little dogs.”
She replied:
“Yes, Lord;
but even the little dogs eat the crumbs
that fall from their masters’ table.”
Jesus answered:
“Woman, great is your faith;
let it be done for you as you wish!”
And at that moment, her daughter was healed.
– Let us acclaim the word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org