Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C

Isaiah 66: 18-21

Thus says the LORD: I know their works and their thoughts, and I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels. Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.

Psalm 117: 1-2

Praise the LORD all you nations;

glorify him, all you peoples!

For steadfast is his kindness toward us,

and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.

Hebrews 12: 5-7. 11-13

Brothers and sisters, You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges." Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.

Luke 13: 22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from. And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.

For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Questions:

- It is written in the book of Isaiah the Prophet: “(…) I know their works and their thoughts (…) I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations (…) and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.” – How do I see that God reveals Himself in events in my life or of the world around me? Who are the people who are for me a sign, a witness to God’s presence and glory?

- It is written in the Letter to the Hebrews: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines...” – How do I react when something bad happens in my life? If I feel anger or discouragement, what helps me to overcome them? How can events which seem negative bring me nearer to God? Were there times in my life when I experienced the love of God within a difficulty, or found in the hardship a means which helped me to correct or improve my ways?

- Jesus said in the Gospel: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” –Do I face social or professional situations where I know what to do but am scared and ashamed? In which situations is it especially difficult for me to behave the right way? How can this problem be overcome?

Questions for children:

- It is written in the book of Isaiah the Prophet: “(…) I know their works and their thoughts (…) I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations (…) and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.” – When do I see that God speaks to me through the example or deeds of others? What in their behavior helps me to come closer to God and believe in Him? When did I see behavior which could move me away from God? What can I do in these two situations?

- It is written in the Letter to the Hebrews: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines...” – How do I respond when adults correct me, or when I receive a just punishment for a wrong action? Can I listen and understand what happened? What helps me to learn a lesson and see that this way God guides and accompanies me also through what happened?

- Jesus said in the Gospel: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” – What do I do when I see others around me making a mistake and behaving badly? How important is it for me to be similar to others even if the price is wrong actions? How can I find the strength to choose the right, the good way? Do I sometimes ask God for help, or feel that He gives me blessing and joy when I try to be faithful to Him?