Sunday Liturgy - November 16

Texts from the “Sulla Tua Parola” booklet, September-October 2025

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)  – 1st week, alternate cycle

First Reading

From the book of the prophet Malachi (Mal 3:19-20a)

Behold, the day is coming, blazing like a furnace. Then all the proud and all those who commit injustice will be like straw; the day that is coming will burn them - says the Lord of hosts - leaving them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of justice will rise, with its healing rays.

The word of the Lord.

Commentary on the First Reading

A fiery day is coming, says Malachi. And if the proud will be like straw, what will become of them? They will burn and disappear. This word seems to contrast with the parable of the wheat and the weeds that we read in the Gospel. The owner of that field, in fact, orders that the weeds not be uprooted, but remain together with the good wheat, only to be definitively burned on the day of the Last Judgment. Naturally, we must follow the Gospel, and therefore know that the separation will be definitive only at the end of time. Yet even now, since the Lord Jesus is present on earth (first in visible flesh, then in the Body of the Church), judgment is present: the proud, who nevertheless remain, must know that they will be burned forever, and therefore now have time to repent. But who are these proud souls? The others? Alas, we are included among them too. Let us then draw decisively near to the fire of the Spirit, so that all those parts of us that belong to the world may burn away, and we may be found purified at the moment of death and judgment.

Second Reading

From the second letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians (2 Thes 3:7-12)

Brothers and sisters, you know how you should imitate us: we were not idle among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; instead, we worked hard, night and day, so as not to be a burden to any of you. This was not because we had no right to do so, but to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. Indeed, when we were with you, we gave you this rule: whoever is unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some among you are living disorderly lives, doing no work but being constantly busybodies. Such people we exhort and command in the Lord Jesus Christ to earn the bread they eat by working quietly.

The word of the Lord.

Commentary on the Second Reading

Being Christians and living the Gospel do not exempt us from working. The hardship of work, in fact, purifies us from sin, because the punishment Adam received after the fall is precisely the harshness of working life (“By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread,” Gen 3:19). In a certain way, by working we redeem ourselves from that ancient fault. Work also teaches us to serve and keeps us away from idleness and vices. The apostles themselves, though they preached and labored for the Gospel, did not want to live at others’ expense, but continued working in part so that they could support themselves. Thus, work has a twofold effect: in the distant past it acted upon the ancient fault and redeemed us, while in the present it helps us grow, mature, and become responsible people. Hence the famous saying: “Whoever is unwilling to work should not eat”
(2 Thes 3:10b); you must work to earn your meal, and if you do not want to do this, then go hungry. God himself is always at work, and in this way teaches us how precious industriousness is. Yes, the Church is a construction site that is permanently open, with workers always laboring in peace and quiet.

Gospel

From the Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:5-19)

At that time, while some were speaking about the temple, adorned with beautiful stones and votive offerings, Jesus said: “The days will come when, of all that you see, there will not be left one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him: “Teacher, when will this happen, and what sign will there be when all these things are about to take place?” He answered: “See that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end will not come immediately.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines and plagues in various places; there will also be terrifying events and great signs from heaven. But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to synagogues and prisons, and dragging you before kings and governors because of my name. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Therefore, make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will be lost. By your perseverance you will save your lives.”

The word of the Lord.

Commentary on the Gospel

Jesus foresees persecutions for the Church, but at the same time tells us that these trials will benefit us. We will have to endure wars and earthquakes, but we also learn that we will save our lives through our perseverance. And how is faith tested, if not when our lives are threatened? The enemy’s attack is therefore a necessary dividing line: faced with it, we take our stand and decide at that moment whose we want to be. Hatred can have the opposite effect: strengthening us in faith and making us shine more brightly, just as stars need darkness in order to shine. Let us not be surprised, then, if Christians suffer persecution or opposition in the world; rather, let us be concerned when everyone speaks well of us and leaves us in peace, because this means that the salt has lost its flavor and that our words, though accepted by everyone, do not warm hearts. Christianity demands heroism. Years ago, a well-known Italian singer proclaimed that he wanted a reckless life, a life “like Steve McQueen.” A life that, truth be told, is not reckless at all. It is authentic Christian life that is risky and adventurous - nothing like Steve McQueen.