21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 27

The first reading takes us to the troubled times of ancient Israel in the eight century BC. The Assyrians are attacking Jerusalem. One high Jewish official, Shebna, is removed from office and replaced by a man named Hilkiah.
We are reading this because the language describing the transfer of power reminds us of today’s gospel. Jesus—symbolically—entrusts Peter with the keys of the kingdom. In a few short verses, the Old Testament reading describes the nature of Peter’s office and responsibility.
—Walter Modrys SJ

This Sunday’s readings can be found on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.