33rd Sunday Ordinary Time November 16, 2025

Readings: Malachi 3:19-20a, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12   Luke 21:5-19

The Prophet Malachi in the first reading reminds us that at some point we must all come before the Lord and answer for our lives. Lots of people today no longer believe this. Other people believe that we must answer for our lives in other ways, such as though reincarnation or being born again. We Christians believe that we have only one life and at the end of it, we shall have to account for this life and how we have used it.

Most of us have not used our lives so very well. Lots of the time we want to use our lives well, but we get distracted. Sometimes we get caught up in desires of the flesh. Other times we get caught up in desires for power. Sometimes we are just concerned about what others think of us. The reasons for being distracted from the inner goal of a strong spiritual life in God are numerous.

Today, the readings want to remind us to trust in the Lord. If we trust in God, then the sun of justice will arise with its healing rays. That is to say, we come to recognize that we cannot lead strong spiritual lives just by our own will power. Rather, we must ask God to change us and to help us.

What does it mean to be prepared? One of things the being prepared means is that I must be able to stand up for my faith. Probably I shall never be called on to give my life for my beliefs, but I should be willing to do that. What kind of a person am I? This is a question that comes before us on this Sunday. Do I believe in anything? And I willing to stand up for anything? Do I believe in something strongly enough that I would be willing to die for it?

In the Christian understanding of these passages of Scriptures, the final days of the world are always right in front of us. That means that we must be ready to die now, at this very moment. There is never any time to waste. If we need to repent from some sin, now is the time. If we want to thank God for something, now is the time. If we need to forgive someone, now is the time. The Scriptures tell us that now is the day of salvation. Now is the time when the Lord is with us, bringing compassion and love. Let us celebrate this Sunday as if it is our final Sunday.

                 Fr. Terry.