33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) – 15th Nov 2020

Theme: PREPARE FOR THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST

Proverbs 31:10-13. 19-20. 30-31;
Psalm 127 (128):1-5. R/ v. 1;
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Matthew 25:14-15. 19-21 (Shorter Form)

1. Today is the 33^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today is the “second last” Sunday of the Liturgical Year A. Next Sunday will be the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year A. As we come to the end of our liturgical year, the readings today tell us about the end times, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The readings today tell us to prepare for the Second Coming for Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ came a first time and he will come a second time! When Jesus Christ came the first time; he died, rose from the dead and gave us the Holy Spirit and sent us forth to proclaim the Good News, to do good works and to build the Kingdom of God! When our faith and good works reach to the ends of the earth, Jesus Christ will come a second time to bring us to heaven! Thus we read in the Gospel today:

“Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.’

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.’” (Mt 25:19-21)

2. The second reading follows the theme of the gospel. The second reading tells us that we do not know when Jesus Christ will come a second time. He will come unexpectedly (“thief”) and suddenly (“labor pains”). We have always to be prepared by doing good works! (Lefrois) Thus we read in the second reading:

“But it is not as if you live in the dark, my brothers, for that Day to overtake you like a thief. No, you are all sons of light and sons of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober.” (1 Th 5:4-6)

3. The first reading gives us an example of doing good works! The first reading tells us about a good wife! A good wife does good to her husband, provides for the household, helps the poor and the needy, and fears and reveres the Lord! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! Thus we read in the first reading:

“She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Pr 31:12. 19-20. 30/HCSB)

4. The responsorial psalm follows the theme of the first reading. The responsorial psalm tells us of a good husband. A good husband is one who fears and reveres the Lord and walks in his ways. Thus the first verse of the responsorial psalm:

“O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!” (Ps 127 (128):1).

And thus the response of the responsorial psalm:

“O blessed are those who fear the Lord.” (Ps 127 (128):1)

The responsorial psalm tells us that a good husband will be blessed with enough to eat, happiness and prosperity. He will be blessed with a fertile wife and with many children. He will be blessed all the days of his life! Thus we read in the responsorial psalm:

“By the labor of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper. Your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house; your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion in a happy Jerusalem all the days of your life.” (Ps 127 (128):2-5)

5. Today in the Eucharist, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we eat his body and drink his blood, and the Risen Lord will give us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us proclaim the Good News, do good works and build the Kingdom of God until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. And when Jesus Christ comes a second time He will take us all to heaven!

Amen!