Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, we celebrate the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. We continue to journey with Jesus and his disciples through the Gospel of Luke. Today’s Scripture readings call us to be alert, attentive, vigilant and watchful and work quietly, devoutly and prayerfully in mutual love, service and support without giving into apocalyptic anxiety.

Our first reading is from the book of Malachi, composed by an anonymous author around 445 B.C. The author had harsh words for the spiritual leaders of his time who had proved themselves to be unworthy of their calling. In addition to presiding at careless, sloppy and meaningless liturgies (Malachi 1:6-2:9), the clergy had allowed foreign and pagan practices to influence their religious rituals (2:10-16). Malachai told his people  (3:19-20, today’s first reading) that the “Day of the Lord” is close when God will bring forth a new world order. He says, what would happen to them on that day will depend on how they live their lives.

Our second reading today ( 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12) was written to the first century Christians who were confused about the second coming of Christ. Some people, believing that Christ was returning immediately,  prepared themselves to welcome him  on his return by living according to the Gospel values and caring for one another. However, many quit their jobs, others got scared, others got bored, still others told stories of coming tragedies, etc. The author of this letter encouraged them to work quietly for their needs and live the Gospel now as the ideal preparation for welcoming Christ when he returns, instead of engaging in idle speculations, gossips and apocalyptic anxieties.

The Gospel reading of today’s mass (Luke 21:5-19) is  Luke’s apocalyptic narrative which was prompted by Jesus’ statement that the temple would be destroyed. The listeners of Jesus were shocked and angry at the prediction of Jesus! Besides its obvious beauty, the fact that the temple was revered as God’s dwelling place on earth made it a permanent structure in Jewish life and spirituality. When Luke wrote his Gospel, the prediction of Jesus had come true! The temple was gone! The harsh realities that Jesus predicted did come true. They were inherent in every aspect of discipleship. Jesus encouraged the disciples to accept these hardships as opportunities to bear witness to him and to the good news of salvation.

To read more of this Sunday’s reflection, please click on the link below...