Sunday 16 August 2026

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading - Isaiah 56.6-7

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. People of every nation will come to love and serve the Lord. They will keep the sabbath, and trust in the Lord’s covenant. And I will welcome them, here on my holy mountain, says the Lord; and they will be joyful in my house of prayer. Their offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar. And my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Romans 12.1-2

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans. I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, as your response to God’s great mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Do not be conformed to the ways of this world, but be transformed, by the renewing of your minds, towards the perfect will of God. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Matthew 15.21-28

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Jesus went north from Galilee to the coastal districts of Lebanon. A woman from that region, who was not a Hebrew, approached Jesus, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David, for my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But Jesus did not answer her. And his disciples said to him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ So Jesus said to her, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep amongst the Hebrew people.’ But she knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ Jesus said to her, ‘It is not right to take food away from the children.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, but surely there will be crumbs that fall from the table.’ Jesus now turned to her, and said, ‘You have great faith. Let it be done for you as you request.’ And at that very moment, her daughter was healed. This is the Gospel of the Lord.