33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Prayer
Eternal Father,
Bless our time here on earth. As we approach the end of another Church Year, help us to embrace your gift of time. Help us to cherish time spent with others. May we honor time spent with You, and with Your Son, and with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Commentary
1st Reading: Malachi 3:19-20
Next weekend, our Liturgical Year comes to a close with the Solemnity of Christ the King. As we approach the end of the year, the Church invites us to reconnect with the Bible’s Apocalyptic literature.
Apocalyptic (Greek for unveiling) literature in the Old Testament was a form of writing used by the prophets after the periods of Jewish Exile. The Prophet Malachi, for example, reminds the people that the Day of the Lord is coming and that they should not assume that their ungodly ways will be tolerated. The unveiled message is that evil will be undone by “the sun of justice with its healing rays.”
Far from doom and gloom, the apocalypse or end times is something we should not be worried about, but positively expect as we look forward to the coming of our Savior.
However, it is a time in which we should be aware of the need to make lifestyle adjustments in readiness for the Lord’s coming.
Question:
In what way are you prepared for the Lord’s return?
2nd Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
The Second Reading follows our previous Sundays readings from Thessalonians and is not intended to fit within our “End Times” theme for this weekend.
Nevertheless, St. Paul’s letter does encourage us to consider how to behave as we long for the Lord’s return in Glory. Paul invites his reader to imitate him as one who is busy doing the Lord’s work. He urges us to avoid “minding the business of others.”
The message of the Letter is to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and away from the unnecessary things and preoccupations of the world.
Perhaps, as we draw near to the end of our Liturgical Cycle, we may want to take an inventory on our lives.
Question:
Within this last year, how have I been focused on the things of this world rather than on the Kingdom of God?
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19
Apocalyptic Literature does not only belong to the prophets of the Old Testament. It is also found within the New Testament. The most obvious Apocalyptic New Testament writing is Revelations. However, all of the Gospel writers present some “unveiling” literature; including Luke.
In our Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus offers a prophetic message that the temple will be destroyed. In addition, the whole world will be filled with wars, earthquakes, famine, with “awesome sights and mighty signs” from the sky.
Jesus’ warning includes persecution for those who choose to remain in the Lord. He does not mince his words: “You will be hated by all because of my name.” This less than rosy picture about the end-of-times should make even the strongest believer cringe. However, Jesus encourages the faithful by telling them that through their perseverance, they will secure their lives.
Perseverance is a powerful word for one who is Christian. It means to “resist to stop.” Faithful Christians are encouraged to resist to stop believing in Jesus; especially when life crumbles around us. It is easy to claim to be Christian when things are good. It is another thing to remain in Christ when the world is coming to an end.
Question:
When trials surround you, what kind of Christian are you?
This Week’s Task
Next week is our last Sunday for the Church year. In a few words, write down three ways in which you have grown in the Lord over this year:
Group Prayer
The group offers the following prayer to Christ the King:
O Jesus Christ,
I acknowledge You as universal King. All that has been made,
has been created for You. Exercise all Your rights over me. I renew my baptismal vows,
renouncing Satan, his pomps and his works; and I promise to live as a good Christian.
Divine Heart of Jesus,
to You I offer my poor services,
laboring that all hearts may acknowledge Your Sacred Kingship,
and that thus the reign of Your peace
be established throughout the whole universe. Amen.
The prayer continues with Psalm 139.
Psalm
Response: 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.
Response: The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
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.
Response: The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
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.
Response: The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Conclude with an Our Father