21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: August 26, 2018

New American Bible readings

First reading (Joshua 24: 1–2a, 15–17, and 18b)

A reading from the book of Joshua.

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges, and their officers. When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people: "If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." But the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD for the service of other gods. For it was the LORD, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among the peoples through whom we passed. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."

Second reading (Ephesians 5: 21–32)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.

Brothers and sisters: Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Gospel (John 6: 60–69)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

Many of Jesus' disciples who were listening said, "This saying is hard; who can accept it?" Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, "Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father." As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible readings
First reading (Joshua 24: 1–2a, 15–17, 18b)
A reading from the book of Joshua.
Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning their elders, their leader, their judges, and their officers. Together they presented themselves before God. Addressing the people, Joshua stated to them: "If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your father served beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." The people answered, "May God not permit that we ever abandon the Lord to serve other Gods! For it was he who brought us and our ancestors out of Egypt, the house of slavery. It was he who did those great wonders that we have seen; he protected us on the way and through all the land where we passed. Therefore, we shall also serve the Lord, for he is our God!"

Second reading (Ephesians 5: 21–32)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and sisters: Let all kinds of submission to one another become obedience to Christ. So wives to their husbands: as to the Lord. The husband is the head of his wife, as Christ is the head of the Church, his body, of whom he is also the Savior. And as the Church submits to Christ, so let a wife submit in everything to her husband. As for you, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her. He washed her and made her holy by baptism in the Word. As he wanted a radiant Church without stain or wrinkle or any blemish, but holy and blameless, he himself had to prepare and present her to himself. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they love their own bodies, he who love his wife loves himself. And no one has ever hated his body; he feeds and takes care of it. That is just what Christ does for the Church, because we are a part of his body. The Scripture states: Because of this, a man shall leave his father and mother to be united with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a very great mystery, and I refer to Christ and the Church.

Gospel (John 6: 60–69)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
After hearing what Jesus and stated before about the bread of life, plenty of Jesus' followers complained, "This language is very difficult; who can accept it?" Jesus was aware that his disciples were discussing and murmuring about this, so he states to them, "Does this offend you? Then how will react when you see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh cannot help. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. But among you there are some who do not believe." From the beginning, Jesus knew who would betray him. So he added, "As I have told you, nobody can come to me unless it is granted by the Father." After this, many disciples withdrew and no longer followed him. Jesus asked the Twelve, "Will you also go away?" Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We now believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: August 19, 2018

New American Bible readings

First reading (Proverbs 9: 1–6)

A reading from the book of Proverbs.

Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven columns; she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her table. She has sent out her maidens; she calls from the heights out over the city: "Let whoever is simple turn in here; To the one who lacks understanding, she says, "Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed! Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding."

Second reading (Ephesians 5: 15–20)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.

Brothers and sisters: Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Gospel (John 6: 51–58)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jesus said to the crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible readings
First reading (Proverbs 9: 1–6)
A reading from the book of Proverbs.
Wisdom has built her house set upon seven pillars; she has slaughtered her beasts, prepared her wine and laid her table. Next, she sent her servants to call from the central square of the city, "Pass by here, you who are fools." To the senseless she states, "Come, eat and drink of the bread and wine I have prepared. Give up your foolishness and you will live; take the straight path of discernment."

Second reading (Ephesians 5: 15–20)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and sisters: Pay attention to how you behave. Do not live as the unwise do, but as responsible persons. Try to make good use of the present time, because these days are evil. So do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk: wine leads to levity; but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Gather together to pray with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and celebrate the Lord in your heart, giving thanks to God the Father in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord, always and for everything.

Gospel (John 6: 51–58)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus stated this to the Jews, "I am the living bread which has come from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world." The Jews were arguing among themselves, "How can this man give us flesh to eat?" So Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood live with the eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day. My flesh is really food and my blood is drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me and I in them. Just as the Father, who is life, sent me and I have life from the Father, so whoever eats me will have life from me. This is the bread which came from heaven; unlike that of your ancestors, who ate and later died. Those who eat this bread will live forever."

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: August 12, 2018

New American Bible readings

First reading (1 Kings 19: 4–8)
A reading from the first book of Kings.
Elijah went a day's journey into the desert, until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death saying: "This is enough, O LORD! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree, but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat. Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cake and a jug of water. After he ate and drank, he lay down again, but the angel of the LORD came back a second time, touched him, and ordered, "Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!" He got up, ate, and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

Second reading (Ephesians 4:30 – 5:2)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and sisters: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

Gospel (John 6: 41–51)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven," and they said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Stop murmuring among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible readings
First reading (1 Kings 19: 4–8)
A reading from the first book of Kings.
Elijah entered the desert going on a day's journey. Then he sat down under a broom tree and prayed to die, "This is enough, O Lord; take away my life, for I am dying." He lay down and went to sleep under the broom tree. Then an angel touched him and stated, "Get up and eat." Elijah looked and saw on his head, a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He ate, drank, and then drifted back to sleep. The angel came a second time to him, saying, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too long for you." He got up, ate, drank, and on the strength of that food, Elijah traveled for forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Second reading (Ephesians 4:30 – 5:2)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Do not sadden the Holy Spirit of God which you were marked with. It will be your distinctive mark on the day of salvation. Do away with all quarreling, rage, anger, insults, and every kind of malice: be good and understanding, mutually forgiving one another as God forgave you in Christ. As most beloved children of God, strive to imitate him. Follow the ways of love, the example of Christ who loved you. He gave himself up for us and became the offering and sacrificial victim whose fragrance rises to God.

Gospel (John 6: 41–51)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
The Jews discussed with themselves because Jesus stated, "I am the bread which comes from heaven." And they stated, "This man is the son of Joseph, is he not? We know his father and mother, but how can he say that he has come down from heaven?" Jesus answered them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise him up on the last day. It has been written in the Prophets: They shall be taught by God.So whoever listens and learns from the Father comes to me. For no one has seen the Father except the One who comes from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, I say to you, whoever believes, has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Though your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, they died. But here you have the bread which comes from heaven so that you may eat it and not die. I am the living bread which has come from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world."

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: August 5, 2018

New American Bible readings

First reading (Exodus 16: 2–4 and 12–15)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, "Would that we had died at the LORD's hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!" Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not. "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God." In the evening quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning a dew lay all about the camp, and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground. On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, "What is this?" for they did not know what it was. But Moses told them, "This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat."

Second reading (Ephesians 4: 17 and 20–24)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and sisters: I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; that is not how you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Gospel (John 6: 24–35)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." So they said to him, "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat." So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible readings

First reading (Exodus 16: 2–4 and 12–15)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
In the desert, the whole Israelite community groaned against Moses and Aaron and stated to them, "If only we had died by the sand of the Lord in Egypt when we sat down to caldrons of meat and ate all the bread we wanted, whereas you have brought us to this desert to let the whole assembly die of starvation!" The Lord then stated to Moses, "Now I am going to rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to gather what is needed for that day. In this way I will test them to save if they will follow my Teaching or not. I have heard the complaints of Israel. Speak to them and say: Between the two evenings you will eat meat, and in the morning you will have bread to your heart's content; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God!" In the evening, quails came up and covered the camp. In the morning, dew had fallen around the camp. When the dew lifted, there was on the surface of the desert a thin crust like hoarfrost. The people of Israel upon seeing it starting asking each other, "What is that?" for they did not know what it was. Moses told them, "It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat."

Second reading (Ephesians 4: 17 and 20–24)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and sisters: I say to you, then, and with insistence I advise you in the Lord: do not imitate the pagans who live an aimless kind of life. But it is not for this that you have followed Christ. For I suppose that you have heard of him and received his teaching which is seen in Jesus himself. You must give up your former way of living, the old self, whose deceitful desires bring self-destruction. Renew yourselves spiritually, from inside and put on the new self, or self-according to God, which is created in true righteousness and holiness.

Gospel (John 6: 24–35)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they embarked on boats and went to Capernaum searching for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Master, when did you come here?" Jesus answered, "Truly, I say to you, you look for me, not because you have seen through the signs, but because you ate bread and were satisfied. Work then, not for perishable food, but for the lasting food which grants you eternal life. The Son of Man will give it to you, for he is the one the Father has marked." Then the Jews asked Jesus, "What should we do? What are the works that God anticipates us to do?" Jesus answered them, "The work God anticipates is this: that you believe in the One whom God has sent." They then stated, "Demonstrate us miraculous signs, that we may see and believe you. What sign do you perform? Well, our ancestors ate manna in the desert; as the Scripture states: They were given bread from heaven to eat." Jesus then replied to them, "Truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven. My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread God gives is the One who comes from heaven and gives life to the world." the Jews replied to Jesus, "Give us this bread consistently." Jesus explained to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall never be hungry, and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty."