Breaking Open the Word
November 16, 33rd Sunday OT
Introduction
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, Jesus is preparing his disciples, and us, for the trials and persecutions that come to those who follow Him. We hear again today that even those closest to us might reject us or even hate us because of our faith in Jesus. Yet, our faith in Jesus will always be rewarded. Obedience and service in the name of the Lord brings with it an interior joy that cannot be taken away.
In our first reading (Mal. 3:19-20a) from Malachi (whose name in Hebrew means “my messenger”) God is sending a strong message that contrasts the proud evildoers with those who fear the Lord. Destruction will come to the wicked and justice and healing will come to the faithful and righteous. This passage is not a prediction of the future like Jesus’ words in the Gospel. Rather, the prophet is encouraging the people to persist in real-life situations, despite the obstacles that are present in the culture around them.
In our second reading (2Thes. 3:7-12), Paul is writing to the church in Thessalonica to correct a misunderstanding by some people that believed they didn’t need to work or plan for the future because they could simply wait for Christ to come again. This became a burden for those who were indeed working to support this new community of believers. Paul points to the example of him and his companions while they were with them. Their example of diligent service so as not to be a burden to others was a model for the Thessalonians and is indeed a model of service to others for us today.
Gospel Explained
Like the reading from Malachi, Luke sets up a contrast in today’s Gospel. There will be those who will harm, persecute, and imprison disciples, and there will be those who testify to their God. Those who give witness, though they may be hated and even killed, will not be harmed. Their perseverance, strength, and resolve will render their persecutors powerless in the face of God’s power. When facing persecution and false accusations, Jesus’ followers are not to fear or worry about how to defend themselves. Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, “shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.”
This is Jesus’ last appearance in the Temple. By setting this story in the Temple, Luke is reminding his community of the other times the Temple was significant in Jesus’ life. He was presented to the Lord in the Temple and recognized by Simeon and Anna as the Messiah (Lk. 2:22-38). He was found by his parents in the Temple as he first began to do the work of the Father (Lk. 2:49). We heard just last Sunday how he drove out the money changers and taught the Good News (Lk. 19:45-20:1). It is important to note that Luke’s Gospel was written about 10-20 years after the Temple was destroyed in the First Jewish Revolt in 70 CE. Jesus’ words today will not save the Temple but will be lifesaving to the disciples hearing them. Their rootedness in Christ and willingness to give testimony will be all that is necessary.
The disciples who follow Jesus, including us today, would face many challenges as they stayed faithful to his teaching and instructions. However, disciples are deeply rooted in Jesus and therefore grounded in their inheritance as people of God’s covenant. No matter the trials and tribulations that will confront them, no matter the persecutions or sufferings, Jesus says, “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” (Lk. 21:19)
Today's Theme
Today’s theme is Perseverance in Faith to live as a disciple of Jesus.
By faith and reason, we can point to Jesus as the Savior of the world. But, while reason and the evidence of scriptures can lead us to believe in Jesus as Savior, it is only by the supernatural gift of faith, defined as a personal commitment to believe in and trust God in all that He has revealed and the Church teaches, that we can live as His disciple.
Perseverance in faith is necessary to truly live as a disciple who believes in Jesus not just as the Savior of the world, but in the Savior of my world. Choosing to live as a disciple means seeking to accomplish the following objectives:
o To accept the reality that living as a disciple comes with challenges throughout one’s life.
o To live with confidence that the Son of Justice will come with His healing rays.
o To discern the work of discipleship we must do going forward.
How we respond to the struggles and difficulties in our lifetime reveals our faith in God and our hope in sharing eternal life.
Theme in our Life Today
Malachi makes clear the fate of the evildoers still bent on perpetrating injustice when the end times come. The Lord will reduce them to rubble. Those who choose to live according to the Lord’s justice by helping those in need, paying a just wage, welcoming strangers, and giving honor to the Lord’s name will experience the healing rays of the sun of justice.
Challenges also faced the community of Jesus’ followers in Thessalonica in the first century. Paul writes how he and his fellow missionaries acted in an orderly manner as they preached the Gospel. They worked tirelessly to support themselves so as not to be a burden on the community.
In our Gospel, Jesus highlights the challenge of perseverance in faith. At the beginning of the passage people were concerned about the lavish adornment of the Temple and offerings they would give. Jesus responds by telling them how fleeting all that will be. The stones will not last. At the people’s request, He relays the signs that will signal when the stones will fall: catastrophic natural events, human-made disasters, the reign of unjust powers, and the persecution of disciples because of their faith.
By the grace of God, we are given the tools we need to achieve our objectives as disciples of Jesus. Our loving Lord invites us to come to Him in prayer and bring Him our questions, our struggles, and our experiences when we become complacent in our discipleship. Our Lord gives us supernatural graces in the sacraments: His very Body and Blood in the Eucharist to nourish and sustain us, His healing power in Confession and Anointing of the Sick, and His grace to help us in our vocation to either marriage or religious life. He calls us to live in a community of believers that worship Him together, learn from His Word together, and serve those in need together. This is the life of the Church, the body of Christ continuing His mission of spreading the Good News through catechesis, evangelization, and faith in action.
Prepare for Sunday
1. Who are the evildoers encountered by people of faith today?
2. Where do we face a similar challenge to not become lazy in our role as disciples?
3. How can we help each other to not become complacent about preparing for the Second Coming and return of the Lord?
4. What will help you persevere considering the life challenges you will face as a disciple, especially challenges to your faith?