WSC Reflection Guide - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time. (For August 22, 2025 P&W)

Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide

Taken from August 17, 2025 (Cycle C, Year I) – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

GET RID OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS AND FIXED YOUR EYES ON JESUS

Community Word: Living a life for God leads us to store up heavenly treasures.

Theme: We store up heavenly treasure when we have the courage to avoid sin and embrace the righteousness of Christ.

Promise: “The Lord heard my cry…he made firm my steps.” (Ps 40:3a, 3c)

Reflection:

This Sunday’s readings present a clear yet a very challenging message: following Christ faithfully requires courage. Discipleship is not only about doing good works; it also demands the strength to resist sin and to stand for what is right, even when this brings misunderstanding, opposition, or loss.

The prophet Jeremiah experienced this reality. Entrusted by God with a message warning Jerusalem of its downfall, he spoke the truth boldly. But the leaders accused him of weakening the people and threatening national security. As punishment, they threw him into a cistern, leaving him to sink in the mud. His suffering came not from wrongdoing, but from obedience to God. Yet God did not abandon him. He sent a court official, who risked his own safety to rescue Jeremiah. This demonstrates that God often works through people who choose righteousness despite personal cost.

In the Letter to the Hebrews, Christian life is compared to a race that requires endurance. Believers are called to get rid of the burden of sin and to focus on Jesus, who is our perfect model. He endured the cross and disregarded its shame for the sake of our salvation. His example inspires us not to lose heart when facing trials because of our faith. If Christ endured suffering out of love, then we too are called to remain steadfast in righteousness.

In the Gospel, Jesus declares, “I have come to set the earth on fire” (Lk 12:49). While He is the Prince of Peace, the peace He offers is not the absence of conflict at any cost. The “fire” He speaks of represents purification, transformation, and truth. Like fire that refines gold, His presence burns away sin and ignites the desire to live according to God’s will.

However, when Christ’s truth confronts human pride, selfishness, or sin, division may arise, even among family members. This division does not come from Christ’s desire to separate people, but from the reality that not all will accept the demands of His righteousness. Choosing Christ may sometimes require standing apart from others’ values or expectations.

To avoid sin and embrace righteousness will not always be comfortable. It may mean losing approval, facing criticism, or letting go of certain habits and relationships. Yet these trials strengthen our faith and draw us closer to eternal reward. The psalmist assures us that God hears our cry, lifts us out of danger, and sets our feet on solid ground.

Courage to live faithfully does not come from our own strength. It is a gift of grace given to those who trust in God and remain close to Him in prayer, Scripture, and fellowship. Welcoming the fire of Christ means letting His truth transform every part of our lives. It is a choice to store up heavenly treasures by valuing eternal reward over temporary comfort and God’s approval over human praise.

When the fire of Christ burns within us, it purifies our hearts, strengthens our witnessing, and draws others to the light of His love. In this way, we can truly say with the psalmist: “The Lord heard my cry…he made firm my steps.” (Ps 40:3a, 3c)

Prayer

Lord, set my heart ablaze with love for You. Remove all attachment to sin and fear of rejection. Grant me the courage to choose righteousness over compromise, and steadfastness in trials. Like Jeremiah, may I trust in Your deliverance. Like Jesus, may I run my race with endurance until the end. Amen.

Reflection Question

1. When have I chosen to do what is right, even if it was hard?

2. How can I let Jesus’ fire burn away what keeps me from following Him fully?

This Week's Daily Mass Reading Guide:

August 17, 2025 (Sun) – Jer 38:4-6, 8-10/Ps 40:2-4, 18/Heb 12:1-4/Lk 12:49-53

August 18, 2025 (Mon) – Jgs 2:11-19/Ps 106:34,-37, 39, 40, 43, 44/Mt 19:16-22

August 19, 2025 (Tue) – Jgs 6:11-24/Ps 85:9, 11-14/Mt 19:23-30

August 20, 2025 (Wed) – Jgs 9:6-15/Ps 21:2-7/Mt 20:1-16

August 21, 2025 (Thu) – Jgs 11:29-39/Ps 40:5-10/Mt 22:1-14

August 22, 2025 (Fri) – Ru 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 27/Ps 146:5-10/Mt 22:34-40

August 23, 2025 (Sat) – Ru 2:3, 8-11; 4:13-17/ Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4, 5/ Mt 23: 1-12

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”

Council of Servant Leaders

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Alfred S. Kudemus

CSL Secretariat

BLD Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16