Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

TRUST

Keys hold great significance for those who carry them. They represent the trust and authority of the owner when given to another person. We may give our house key to a trusted friend to take care of our matters while we are away. We may give keys to someone responsible for maintaining or working in a particular building. Keys to vehicles are given to people who have proven themselves responsible drivers. The readings today focus on this kind of trust—the trust that conveys authority and responsibility. In the first reading, the symbol is specifically that of a key; but the second reading and the Gospel also speak of trust and leadership as they refer to the earthly church that Jesus established.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Masses for the Week

• Sun. Aug. 23 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM — Spanish
• Weds. Aug. 19 8:30 AM
• Thurs. Aug. 20 8:30 AM
• Fri. Aug. 21 8:30 AM
• Sat. Aug. 22 8:30 AM & 5:30 PM
• Sun. Aug. 23 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM — Spanish

There will not be Mass on Monday morning or Wednesday evening this week.

Announcements

Important Notice — Scam Emails in Fr. Regi’s Name

Fr. Regi and the church office will never ask for money or gift cards through emails, phone calls, or text messages. Someone is sending fake emails in Fr. Regi’s name asking for money and gift cards.

Mothers’ Guild — Speaker Event Today (Aug. 23)

All women of the parish are invited to join the Mothers Guild today, August 23 at 2pm for an exciting (and free) speaker event. Kristy Bentley, the Program Coordinator of Three to Get Married Retreat at Vanderbilt Catholic, will be speaking on the Church’s role in the challenges and joys of motherhood.

Religious Education — Registration Still Open

Registration for Religious Education is still open and classes began last Sunday. We are using a new online program this year. Scan the QR code in the hall to fill out the registration form and be sure to take a parent packet home as well. In order to preserve continuity of learning, registration will close Sunday, September 27th. Classroom space is limited, so please register now.

RCIA Class — Sundays 10:15–11:30 in the Vestibule

If you are interested in becoming Catholic or want to learn more about your faith, RCIA class will meet in the vestibule on Sundays at 10:15–11:30. This class is also for those baptized Catholics who have not received First Communion or Confirmation.

Retrouvaille — Help for Struggling Marriages

Do you need Retrouvaille? Has your romance faded? Do you argue without reaching resolution? Are you more like roommates than soul mates? Have you grown apart? Is your marriage in crisis? Why wait for a better marriage?

Retrouvaille can help you: rebuild your emotional connection, learn healthy communication methods, manage conflicts effectively, forgive and rebuild trust, and rediscover your love. Join us March 6–8, 2026. For more info, email nashville@helpourmarriage.org, visit helpourmarriage.org, or call 931-820-2115.

School Supplies

The Women’s Group is helping families in the community who can’t afford to buy school supplies. There is a list in the hall on the lectern with the items that are needed if you would like to donate.

New Water Dispenser

There is a new water dispenser in the kitchen. Cups are on top of the dispenser. Please throw your cups in the trash can.

Online Giving

Here is the established QR code for the parish if you would like to make your donation online.

Today’s Readings

First Reading: Eliakim is destined by God to be a father to those who live in Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:19-23).

Psalm: Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands (Psalm 138).

Second Reading: How deep are the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! (Romans 11:33-36).

Gospel: Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ” (Matthew 16:13-20).

Readings for the Week

Monday: Rv 21:9b-14; Ps 145:10-13, 17-18; Jn 1:45-51

Tuesday: 2 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17; Ps 96:10-13; Mt 23:23-26

Wednesday: 2 Thes 3:6-10, 16-18; Ps 128:1-2, 4-5; Mt 23:27-32

Thursday: 1 Cor 1:1-9; Ps 145:2-7; Mt 24:42-51

Friday: 1 Cor 1:17-25; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11; Mt 25:1-13

Saturday: 1 Cor 1:26-31; Ps 33:12-13, 18-21; Mk 6:17-29

Sunday: Jer 20:7-9; Ps 63:2-6, 8-9; Rom 12:1-2; Mt 16:21-27

Reflecting on the Word

In my catechetical work, as we get close to Holy Week, we meditate on John 12:24: “Unless a grain of wheat shall fall upon the ground and die, it remains but a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

For this meditation, I plant wheat seeds a week apart for three weeks, so that each container has germinated seeds at various stages of growth. I gather the children around me, show them the grain of wheat (they can even hold one in their palm!), and then dig out the plant that was sown last. We observe the appearance and feel of seed—it is different, it isn’t quite as full as the grain in their palm. We do the same for the next two containers. The plant from the third container (sown first) has now lost the husk of the grain. They recognize that the life of the seed is now in the plant. Death has given life in some mysterious way. And more mysteriously, all this has to do with Jesus’ resurrection! One four-year-old then scrunched up his face in concentration and asked with great puzzlement, “Does Jesus really say that dying is a good thing? Why would he say that?” The paradox was too much for him in that moment.

We react similarly to today’s Gospel passage—what does it mean to lose my life and find my life? Why not just hold on to it? The second reading could offer clues to help us decipher the meaning of life and death in Jesus. The image of dying to ourselves in baptism so that we can take on the new risen life of Jesus, so that we may be resurrected at the at the end times, is vivid and gives color to Jesus’ words. We die so that we can rise again. Whether that death constitutes small sacrifices or bodily death, it is so that we can be renewed in body and spirit. Too much for a four-year-old to grasp. They preferred the Circle of Life.

Excerpted from Living the Word

Mission Statement

We, the members of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, recognize and respect our diverse and multicultural character. By the grace of God, we will nurture our spiritual community through prayer, service, and example to become one family in Christ.

Adoration

8:00 AM — 1st Saturday of the month

7:00 PM — 1st & 3rd Friday (Spanish)