This Week Be A Rock For The Church

Readings for Sunday August 21st 2011                                   

21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time  

        The thought that we could advise the Almighty God! Yet, how often we try to do so? We make demands! We complain about our circumstances. We grumble about our appearance. In each case our grumbling implies that God does not know what He is doing. When we complain in this way we are actually trying to give God advice!!  Think about how aggravating it is when someone preaches with great authority about something that we know they know nothing about. That must be the way God feels when we try to give him advice. Our perspective is limited. God sees clearly. How often do we complain about the rules set up by our parents, we feel victimized but don’t realize that our parents have actually set up these boundaries to protect and enrich our lives. God doesn’t need our advice. He is an expert on every issue. He understands everything better than we do. Everything. Our job is to trust and to follow.

                                                                        

First  Reading                        Isaiah 22:19-23

19 Thus says the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace: “I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station. 20 On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; 21 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. 22  I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder; what he opens, no one will shut what he shuts, no one will open. 23 I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family.”

Questions for discussion:

1.   What leadership positions do you have? When if ever have you acted like a Shebna in that position?

2.   Have you ever abused a position of authority?

3.   How did God deal with Shebna’s egocentric leadership?

4.   In spite of Eliakim’s good leadership, what will ultimately happen?

This reading presupposes that everyone -Kings, officials and each one of us serve at God’s pleasure and that he alone gives us our power and authority on earth.


Second Reading                Romans 11:33-36

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord
or who has been his counselor? 35 Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid? 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.


Questions for discussion:

1. 
   
2. Who Can Give God Advice? The very question is absurd, is it not?

    What do you feel after reading this following skit?

Harry:  Hi, Carl. Just calling to say hello. 

Carl:  Oh, Harry. I think the last time I ran into you was at the church some time back.

Harry:  Yes, as you know, my family has been having a really tough time lately. I thought it might help to chat with someone I have known a long time—like you.

Carl:  What did you say? I was busy looking at the golf tournament on TV. 

Harry:  Have you been golfing lately?

Carl: Yes, but I decided to quit calling people like you who play so lousy.

Harry: Yes, my game could improve. As I said, my family has been. . . .

Carl: No, you will probably get worse as you get older. Maybe you should find some new people to play with. Nobody I know wants to play with you. 

Harry: Carl, it sort of hurts to hear you say that. You used to say you loved me like a brother. 

Carl: I still love you. Wait a second! Tiger Woods is giving an interview!  Did you say I hurt your feelings? I just believe in being truthful with people; that’s how I’m wiser than most. Speaking of golf, a guy cheated me the other day during a round. I can’t wait to find a way to pay him back for that!

Gospel reading                  Matthew 16:13-20

13 Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,  still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 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. 18 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. 19 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.” 20 Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Questions for Discussion:

1.   Who do you say that the Son of Man is?

2.   If you had two minutes to talk on television about Jesus and you could say anything you wanted, what would you say?

3.   How would you answer if someone asked you to describe Jesus?

4.   How does a Christian forfeit his life? What might tempt people to lose their life or exchange their soul?