Sunday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time
See also:
- Gospel Commentary, by Msgr. João Scognamiglio Clá Dias, EP
Mass Readings
First Reading – Mal 3:19-20a
Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the LORD of hosts. But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 (R.cf.9)
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD. R.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy. R.
Before the LORD, for He comes,
for He comes to rule the earth,
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity. R.
Second Reading – 2 Thes 3:7-12
Brothers and sisters: You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.
Gospel – Lk 21:5-19
While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here – the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. “Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of My name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of My name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
Featured Saints
Sunday takes precedence over the Optional Memorials: St. Gertrude the Great, virgin. (†1302). Religious of the Cistercian monastery of Helfta, Germany. In her mystical writings she revealed her spiritual experiences related to the mystery of the Incarnation, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Eucharist. St. Margaret of Scotland, queen and widow (†1093). An English princess born in Hungary in exile, she became Queen of Scotland at the age of 24 and her sanctity shone as a light for the entire nation.
St. Agnes of Assisi, virgin (†1253). Younger sister of St. Clare, in whose footsteps she followed, embracing a life of Franciscan poverty.
St. Eucherius of Lyon, bishop (†449). He withdrew to lead an ascetic life on an island close to Lérins, France, and was elected Bishop of Lyon. He wrote the history of many martyrs.
St. Edmund Rich, Bishop (†1240). English born Archbishop of Canterbury. He was exiled for defending the rights of the Church, and lived a holy life among the Cistercian monks of Pontigny, France.
St. Othmar, abbot (†759). He founded a small hospital for lepers in Switzerland and a monastery under the Benedictine rule. Powerful neighbours conspired to deport him to an island in the Rhine River, where he died in exile.
Blessed Edward Osbaldeston, priest and martyr (†1594). Priest from Yorkshire, England, executed during the reign of Elizabeth I for exercising his ministry.
