Reflections on the readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (November 17, 2019): MAL 3:19-20, PS 96:5-6,7-8,9; 2 THES 3:7-12; LK 21:5-19
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
As we approach the end of the Liturgical Year, our readings not only call us to look back at the life of Jesus and the early Christians, but also ahead to the end of the world.
St. Paul and the other Apostles of Christ who shared the Good News were anxious for the welfare of each community they formed. They knew that it would never be enough for the newly baptized to simply proclaim their belief in the Son of God as their Savior. They had to use their time well in demonstrating their love of God and His people. Unfortunately, the author of the letters to the Thessalonians found that some Christians were so convinced that the world would soon come to an end, that they stopped working and generally made a nuisance of themselves. “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 Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12).
Every day of our lives, God put certain responsibilities into our hands. Most people are asked to fulfill roles regarding their families, work, and communities. We are also expected to look after those who are particularly vulnerable. Our Lord certainly wants us to pray and open ourselves to a deeper relationship with Him. Quite simply, we need to love God and love our neighbors. Without fussing about what will – or will not – happen tomorrow, we should trust our merciful God who cherishes each of us and calls us to Himself. While we need to be aware that someday we will die and some day the world will end, we must not allow fear or anything else to intrude on the life of faith to which Almighty God beckons us each day.