Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary TIme

Our first reading from the Book of Malachi and our Gospel passage from St. Luke today both discuss the end times, highlighting how people should anticipate various disasters and judgment.

Many people use these passages, along with others, to predict when the end of the world will occur. They often promote the idea of a vengeful God who will return in anger to punish those who did not follow His will.

In reality, these Scripture passages reveal that this world is imperfect and incomplete. True happiness and joy stem from our hope and expectation for the Kingdom of God that is to come.

The great disasters that Jesus predicted in St. Luke’s Gospel occurred in the years following His death and continue to happen. They will always be part of our existence as long as the world remains.

These passages do not offer a secret key to satisfy our curiosity about the end times or our ultimate destiny as human beings and children of God. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to waste our time worrying about these matters or trying to predict when they will happen.

Instead, we should focus on following the great commandments that Jesus gave us: to love God above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

We should strive to model our lives after the Apostles, the early followers of Jesus, the saints, and even ordinary people today who have wholeheartedly embraced the Gospel call to love, show mercy, and serve those most in need.

Some people overlook the message in today’s Scripture passages—that God desires us to live with Him in Paradise. God is a loving God who wants His children to experience His justice and healing in this life and the next. He longs to reward us for our perseverance in faith and for acting with love and compassion, despite the challenges and tragedies we face in the world.

Our faithfulness to God and our commitment to stewardship enrich not only our lives but also the lives of others. It brings the love, power, and richness of God’s life to ourselves and to all those we encounter. 

Let us pray this week for the courage, strength, and dedication to be active participants in God’s plan for His people.