November 14
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intention
Sat. 4:00 PM – Bill Sovik/ Carol Dwyer
Sun. 7:30 AM – Michael Whalen / Diane Cecero & Michael Whalan
Sun. 10:30 AM – Anthony Jastrem / Family
Sun. 5:00 PM – Edward & Viola DeStefano / Leonard & Marie
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Readings
First Reading
Daniel 12:1-3
In those days, I Daniel, heard this word of the Lord: "At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book.
“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.
“But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever."
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
R. (1) You are my inheritance, O Lord!
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Second Reading
Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Brothers and sisters: Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.
Gospel Acclamation
Luke 21:36
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 13:24-32
Jesus said to his disciples: "In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
"But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
“You are my inheritance, O Lord!”
Reflection
November brings about the end of the Liturgical Year, and with it also comes the invitation to reflect on what the Church often refers to as the “Last things” or the “Four Last Things”: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. We find this invitation predominantly in our Scripture readings at Mass. A lot of “We do not know the hour when…” or “the time will come when…” or “blessed will that servant be whom the master finds doing what they were supposed to when he returns…”—all potentially leaving us with anxiety or crippling fear of the unknown. Even Jesus’ words in the Gospel this Sunday seem to give more of a serious call for concern rather than an uplifting message of hope: “…after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken…” (Mk 13:24-25).
Yet, Jesus doesn’t leave us without the comfort and assurance of his abiding presence by reminding us that his words will not pass away. This is to say, everything Jesus says is trustworthy and true. We should live and act knowing that what Jesus says actually carries weight. Again, this is not meant to cause us to fret, but rather this should fill us with hope and joy. Consider the Letter to the Hebrews we hear from again today: “Where there is forgiveness of [sins] there is no longer offering for sin.” The omitted verse before it reads: “Their sins and their evildoings I will remember no more (Heb 10:17).” Just think about what a gift this is, receiving the forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation—God actually wipes our sins and offenses clean and gone! A completely fresh start! God desires our healing and forgiveness, and it’s never too late for us to accept the invitation to know his mercy and renewal of life. Let’s allow these challenging passages of Scripture pointing to the “Last Things” to fill us with gratitude and hope rather than anxiety, and let’s continue to find peace and consolation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
May the Lord continue to bless us,
Peace,
Fr. Foley
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