Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading — Brothers and sisters of every race and language will be brought to Jerusalem (Isaiah 66:18-21).
Psalm — Go out to all the world and tell the Good News
(Psalm 117).
Second Reading — Be strong and endure your trials as the “discipline” of a loving God, for it will result in the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13).
Gospel — People from east and west, north and south, recline at table in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:22-30).

GOD’S PEOPLE GATHER
Our readings today remind us of the larger story of the Bible, of God’s purposes and promises for the world. Because of humanity’s rejection of God, as told in Genesis, human communities were first dispersed. Isaiah proclaims that one day God will gather these communities to be healed and reconciled with God. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus echoes Isaiah and teaches that all peoples in God’s promised future “will recline at table in the kingdom of God.” Notice that in Isaiah, the nations coming to God do not lose their ethnicity or unique identity. They bring their own distinct cultural gifts to God’s table. Each people has its unique history with God, has received distinct blessings from God, and each is accountable to God. Today, we live in a global and multi-cultural Church. When God’s diverse peoples gather in worship today, may we honor and celebrate each other’s gifts and blessings.
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