August 16, 2026
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Psalm 67
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28
The Kingdom Is Offered To All
In the gospel story, Jesus breaks from ministering only to the Jewish nation. He serves the needs of the Canaanite woman. This action anticipates the coming mission to the Gentiles. The Jewish people were chosen people. They were chosen to give witness to the one true God. Their calling was not to remain exclusive.
The Canaanite woman recognized something special in Jesus Christ. She saw His ability to heal. She was willing to put her trust in Him. Since she was willing to follow Jesus, she benefitted from the relationship. That is the message of the first reading.
Through the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord says, “…hold to my covenant, then I will bring you to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house.” Thus, participation in the Kingdom is offered to all who believe in the Lord. It is for all who keep His commandments regardless of origin or social condition. Those who are devoted are able to see the Lord. Such people have a sense of awareness. They are sincere in their desire to obtain wholeness and fullness of life.
Since you are taking the time to read this column, either online or sitting in the church, is it not because you are seeking such wholeness? It is good that you seek understanding of God’s call to you. Now, deepen your search. Make a small commitment to spend a short time in prayer each day this week.
In prayer, tell God you are willing to hear Him. Observe yourself and note your talents. Ask how these may be used to make better your life regarding greater peace. How may you do so for others around you? Simply say to God “lead me, guide me along your way.” The Kingdom is offered to you. Be sincere in your desire to share in God’s Kingdom.
The Canaanite woman recognized something special in Jesus Christ. She saw His ability to heal. She was willing to put her trust in Him. Since she was willing to follow Jesus, she benefitted from the relationship. That is the message of the first reading.
Through the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord says, “…hold to my covenant, then I will bring you to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house.” Thus, participation in the Kingdom is offered to all who believe in the Lord. It is for all who keep His commandments regardless of origin or social condition. Those who are devoted are able to see the Lord. Such people have a sense of awareness. They are sincere in their desire to obtain wholeness and fullness of life.
Since you are taking the time to read this column, either online or sitting in the church, is it not because you are seeking such wholeness? It is good that you seek understanding of God’s call to you. Now, deepen your search. Make a small commitment to spend a short time in prayer each day this week.
In prayer, tell God you are willing to hear Him. Observe yourself and note your talents. Ask how these may be used to make better your life regarding greater peace. How may you do so for others around you? Simply say to God “lead me, guide me along your way.” The Kingdom is offered to you. Be sincere in your desire to share in God’s Kingdom.
Peace and blessings,
Father Bob
Father Bob
Prayer for Peace
Mary, Queen of Peace, save us all, who have so much trust in you, from wars, hatred, and oppression. Make us all learn to live in peace, and educate ourselves for peace, do what is demanded by justice, and respect the rights of every person, so that peace may be firmly established. Amen.
Pope Saint John Paul II
Pray the Devine Mercy:
“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
The Jesus Prayer...
"Lord Jesus Christ
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner."
(pray repeatedly)
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner."
(pray repeatedly)
Click on the links below for more information
This Week's
Scripture Readings
August 23, 2026
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 22:19-23
Psalm 138
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 22:19-23
Psalm 138
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20
Reading I
Isaiah 22:19-23
Thus says the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace:
"I will thrust you from your office
and pull you down from your station.
On that day I will summon my servant
Eliakim, son of Hilkiah;
I will clothe him with your robe,
and gird him with your sash,
and give over to him your authority.
He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
and to the house of Judah.
I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim's shoulder;
when he opens, no one shall shut,
when he shuts, no one shall open.
I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot,
to be a place of honor for his family."
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Isaiah 22:19-23
Thus says the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace:
"I will thrust you from your office
and pull you down from your station.
On that day I will summon my servant
Eliakim, son of Hilkiah;
I will clothe him with your robe,
and gird him with your sash,
and give over to him your authority.
He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
and to the house of Judah.
I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim's shoulder;
when he opens, no one shall shut,
when he shuts, no one shall open.
I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot,
to be a place of honor for his family."
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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 67
R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
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Psalm 67
R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
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Reading II
Romans 11:33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given the Lord anything
that he may be repaid?
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be glory forever. Amen.
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Romans 11:33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given the Lord anything
that he may be repaid?
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be glory forever. Amen.
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Alleluia
Matthew 16:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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Matthew 16:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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Gospel
Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply,
"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.
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Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply,
"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.
BACK TO TOP