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.