20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Indonesian Independence Day) or the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Date: August 17, 2014

Readings for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading (Isaiah 56: 1 and 6–7)
A reading from the book of Isaiah.
This is what the Lord states: Maintain what is right and do what is just, for my salvation is close at hand, my justice is soon to come. The Lord states to the foreigners who join him, serving him and loving his name, keeping his sabbath unprofaned and remaining faithful to his covenant: I will bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. I will accept on my altar their burnt offerings and sacrifices, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.

Second Reading (Romans 11: 13–15 and 29–32)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
Listen to me, you who are not Jews: I am spending myself as an apostle to the pagan nations, but I hope my ministry will be successful enough to awaken the jealousy of those of my race, and finally to save some of them. If the world made peace with God when they remained apart, what will it be when they are welcomed? Nothing less than a passing from death to life. The call of God and his gifts cannot be nullified. Through the rebellion of the Jews the mercy of God came to you who did not obey God. They in turn will receive mercy in due time after this rebellion that brought God's mercy to you. So God has submitted all to disobedience, in order to show his mercy to all.

Gospel (Matthew 15: 21–28)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Now a Canaanite woman came from those borders and began to cry out, "Lord, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But Jesus did not answer her, not even a word. So his disciples approached him and stated, "Send her away: see how she is shouting after us." Then Jesus stated to her, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel." But the woman was already kneeling before Jesus and stated, "Sir, help me!" Jesus answered, "It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to the little dogs." The woman replied, "It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to the little dogs." The woman replied, "It is true, sir, but even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master's table." Then Jesus stated, "Woman, how great is your faith! Let it be as you wish." And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Readings for the Indonesian Independence Day
First Reading (Sirach 10: 1–8)
A reading from the book of Sirach.
The wise leader will teach his people; the government of the intelligent man will be well-ordered. As the leader is, so will his ministers be; as the leader of the city is, so will be its inhabitants. A king without wisdom will ruin his people; a city will prosper through the wisdom of its rulers. The government of the earth is in the hands of the Lord; in his own time he will raise up the right leader. Human success is in the hands of the Lord and he clothes the rulers with his glory. Do not store up resentment against your neighbor, no matter what his offense; do nothing in a fit of anger. Pride is odious to both God and man; injustice is abhorrent to both of them. Sovereignty passes from one nation to another because of injustice, violence and wealth.

Second Reading (1 Peter 2: 13–17)
A reading from the first letter of Peter.
For the Lord's sake, respect all human authority: the king as chief authority, the governors as sent by him to punish evildoers and to encourage those who do good. And God wants you to do good so that you may silence those fools who ignorantly criticize you. Behave as free people but do not speak of freedom as a license for vice; you are free men and God's servants. Reverence each person, love your brothers and sisters, fear God and show respect to the emperor.

Gospel (Matthew 22: 15–21)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
The Pharisees went out and took counsel on how they could trap Jesus with his own words. They then sent their disciples with the members of Herod's party for those purpose. They stated to Jesus, "Master, we know that you are an honest man and truly teach God's way; you are not influenced by others nor are you afraid of anyone. Tell us, then, what you think: is it against the Law to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But Jesus understood their evil intent, and stated to them, "Hypocrites! Why are you testing me? Show me the coin with which you pay the taxes." They showed him a denarius, and Jesus stated to them, "Whose head is this, and whose name?" They answered, "Caesar's." Then Jesus replied, "Therefore, return to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."

Readings for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Reading (Revelation 11:19a; 12: 1–6a, and 10ab)
A reading from the book of Revelation.
Then the sanctuary of God in the heavens was opened, and the Ark of the Covenant of God could be seen inside the sanctuary. A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain, looking to her time of delivery. Then another sign appeared: a huge, red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and wearing seven crowns on its heads. It had just swept along a third of the stars of heaven with its tail, throwing them down to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour the child as soon as it was born. She gave birth to a male child, the one who is to rule all the nations with an iron scepter; then her child was seized and taken up to God and to his throne while the woman fled to the desert where God had prepared a place for her. Then I heard a loud voice from heaven: Now has salvation come, with the power and the kingdom of our God, and the rule of his anointed.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15: 20–27a)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead and he comes before all those who have fallen asleep. A human being brought death; a human being also brings resurrection of the dead. All die for being Adam's, and in Christ all will receive life. However, each one in his own time: first Christ, then Christ's people, when he visits them. Then the end will come, when Christ delivers the kingdom to God the Father, after having destroyed every rule, authority and power. For he must reign and put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed will be death. As Scripture says: God has subjected everything under his feet.

Gospel (Luke 1: 39–56)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Mary then sets out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit, and giving a loud cry, she cried out, "You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's word would come true!" And Mary stated: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God my savior! He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, and people forever will call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name. From age to age his mercy extends to those who live in his presence. He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up those who are downtrodden. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy, even as he promise our fathers, Abraham and his descendants forever." Mary remained with Elizabeth for approximately three months and then returned home.