Word for the Weekend of August 24

Keys to the Kingdom by Eanrae

It's time to take a look at the scriptures for this coming weekend in preparation for keeping the Lord's Day holy. Here are the texts and background materials for August 24, the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Got kids? Here are some hints for helping our young ones open their ears and hearts (and attention!) to God's word on Sunday morning (or Saturday evening).

This Sunday's scriptures include some interesting and important verbs:

thrust, pull down
summon
clothe, gird
open, shut
fix, build
reveal
prevail
bind, loose

These texts speak of transfers of authority and the power God entrusts to the Church. The power of holding the keys to what is locked up is, well key to this Sunday's message. Check Fuller's comments in the background materials to see how interpretation of this passage differs among different ecclesial bodies in the Christian world.

(Two earlier posts on the ministry of Peter in the Church might be helpful background here.)

-Concord Pastor