Gospel: August 23, 2026
August 23, 2026 (Sunday)
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 1 (Green)
Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8
Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.
1st Reading: Isaiah 22:19-23
You will be deposed, strongman. I will hurl you down from where you are. On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah. I will clothe him with your robe, I will strengthen him with your girdle, I will give him your authority, and he will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the people of Judah. Upon his shoulder I will place the key of the house of David: what he opens, no one shall shut; what he shuts, no one shall open. I will fasten him like a peg in a sure spot, and he will be a seat of honor in the house of his father.
2nd Reading: Romans 11:33-36
How deep are the riches, the wisdom and knowledge of God! His decisions cannot be explained, nor his ways understood! Who has ever known God’s thoughts? Who has ever been his adviser? Who has given him something first, so that God had to repay him? For everything comes from him, has been made by him and has to return to him. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20
After that, Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They said, “For some of them, you are John the Baptist; for others Elijah, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
Jesus asked them, “But you, who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “It is well for you, Simon Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And now I say to you: You are Peter; and on this Rock I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.”Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
Lectio Divina:
The Church belongs to the Lord.
Read: In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah pronounces judgment on the palace master, indicating that the faithful Eliakim will take his place. Meanwhile, Paul praises the wisdom of God’s plan for salvation in the second reading. This culminates in the gospel reading, where Simon proclaims Jesus as the “Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” In response, Jesus renamed Simon to “Peter,” the “rock” on which the Lord built His Church.
Reflect: Today’s gospel reading highlights the beginning of the Church. From the very words of Jesus, we understand that the Church belongs to the Lord, who is also its builder. What is our role then? We belong to this Church of Christ, and together with Peter, we help build it up. Since Peter is the rock, we are like the other stones and pebbles. As such, let us allow the Lord, the Master Builder, to work with us and through us. Let us ask ourselves: How am I helping to build up the Church of Christ? We must remember that no matter how small a stone we are, the Lord can still use us to create something beautiful.
Pray: Pray for the Church’s leaders and ministers, that they may stay faithful to its Master.
Act: Volunteer! Become an active member of your community.
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