Sunday between 21 and 27 August    

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

First Reading - Joshua 24.1a, 14-18

A reading from the book of Joshua. Joshua gathered the tribes of Israel, with their elders, leaders, judges, and officers, and addressed them, saying: ‘Turn away from the gods that your ancestors served, and honour the Lord your God with all your heart; for it is the Lord your God who has brought you to this place, and to this day. And if you are unwilling to serve the Lord your God, choose this day the gods you will serve, whether the gods of your ancestors, or the gods of those in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!’ And the people answered, ‘Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord our God to serve other gods; for it is the Lord our God who brought us, and our ancestors, out of the house of slavery in the land of Egypt. It is the Lord our God who gave many great signs in our sight, protected us along the way, and brought us to this land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for the Lord is our God.’ This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Ephesians 6.10-20

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians. Be strong in the power of the Lord. Put on the whole armour of God, to protect you from all the tricks of the devil. For we struggle not against flesh and blood, but against all the powers of darkness, in this world, and the world beyond. Therefore, put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand firm against every assault of the devil.
Fasten the belt of truth around your waist. Put on the helmet of salvation, and the breast-plate of righteousness, and on your feet, the gospel of peace. Take up the shield of faith, to protect you from the flaming arrows of the evil one. And the word of God will be your sword. At all times, pray in the Spirit, making all your requests known to God. Stay alert, and persevere in prayer for all the believers. And pray also for me, that whenever I speak, I may be given the words to proclaim, with confidence, the gospel for which I remain an ambassador in chains. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - John 6.58a,c,60-69

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Jesus said, ‘I am the true and living bread that comes down from heaven. All who eat this bread will live for ever.’ Many of the disciples said that this teaching was difficult to understand. Jesus said, ‘Some of you will see the Son of Man ascending, back up, into heaven. The spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing; and the words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and life. The call to follow me is a gift from the Father; and yet, still, amongst you, there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew, from the beginning, who did not believe; and he knew who would betray him. Many of the disciples now turned away, and no longer went about with him. Jesus asked the twelve whether they also would now turn away. Simon Peter said, ‘Lord, there is no other that we could follow. You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe, and to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.
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