21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
In our reading, God is gathering people from all over the world to follow him and these people will spread the word of God throughout the world.
In our Gospel, Jesus was teaching people in towns and villages while he was walking to Jerusalem. Someone asked him how many will be saved. He told the parable of a homeowner who locked their door. You come but the owner will not open the door even though you live there. You see others are in heaven but you are not. We hear that all people are invited to the Kingdom of God but all must enter through Jesus, the door. Many will try to enter through the wider, more used door but they will not enter heaven that way. Will God know you? Will he let you into heaven because of all the good you have done? Our challenge is to be someone God knows well and loves entirely.
Special Saint/Feast Day: Queenship of Mary – August 22nd
Mary was united with her Son in heaven, body and soul.
A good queen is greatly loved and served with joy. Mary is a kind and loving Queen. She is our Mother and Teacher, too.
As our Mother, Mary takes care of us. She gives us spiritual gifts and she helps us with our physical needs.
She is our Teacher because she gave us an example of how to be true disciples of Jesus by the way she lived.
Mary will lead us to her Son, Jesus.
We can honour Mary every day in several ways. We can pray the Hail Mary during the day. We can spend quiet time in prayer and say the Rosary. We can keep a little statue or picture of Mary nearby to remind us to honour her with prayer. This is the way we make Mary the center and Queen of our hearts.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.