Daily Catholic Lectio
Sun, 17 November 2024
XXXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eighth World Day of the Poor
Daniel 12:1-3. Psalm 16. Hebrews 10:11-14, 18. Mark 13:24-32
I shall not be shaken!
Today, we are on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, preparing our hearts for the Solemnity of Christ the King next Sunday. This day is also marked as the 8th World Day for the Poor, a beautiful initiative by our Holy Father, Pope Francis. The theme he invites us to reflect on this year is: “The prayer of the poor rises to God” (cf. Sir 21:5). This theme aligns with the overarching theme of prayer as part of the preparation for the Jubilee 2025.
The readings of today lead us to contemplate the end times and remind us of God’s sovereignty over all creation.
First Reading: A vision of hope amidst trial
The Book of Daniel offers us an apocalyptic vision—a genre filled with symbols, signs, and messages of hope in times of suffering. Written during the persecution under the Seleucid king, Antiochus Epiphanes IV, it speaks of the intervention of the Archangel Michael, the protector of God’s people. He is portrayed as the one who defends, carries prayers to God, and executes His commands. In the end, the faithful will triumph, and those who remain steadfast in their devotion to God will shine like stars forever.
Second Reading: Jesus, the eternal High Priest
The Letter to the Hebrews contrasts the priests of old with Jesus, our supreme High Priest, who offered Himself once for all. Through His perfect sacrifice, Jesus brings us into the fullness of God’s grace. His offering reminds us of the boundless love and mercy of God, who draws us to Himself through Christ.
Gospel Reading: Heaven and earth will pass away
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus describes the apocalyptic signs and the coming of the Son of Man. Amid the uncertainty of the end times, He assures us, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” This is a call to trust in the eternal Word of God, which remains unshaken even when all else fades.
Lessons for Today
The readings inspire us to reflect on three spiritual virtues that anchor us in God:
(a) Devotion. In the trials of life, devotion to God becomes an offering of faith. Like the faithful in Daniel’s time, we are called to hold fast to God’s commandments, offering our lives as acts of worship.
(b) Dedication. Devotion is made visible through dedication—our active commitment to God and His mission. True dedication expresses itself in our relationships, responsibilities, and service to others.
(c) Discipline. Dedication leads to discipline, shaping our daily conduct in a manner pleasing to God. It calls us to live with purpose and integrity, rooted in His love.
“I shall not be shaken!”
The psalmist declares with confidence: “I keep the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Ps 16:8). This steadfast faith becomes our assurance, especially on this World Day for the Poor.
Poverty is not limited to material lack; it encompasses spiritual, emotional, and intellectual dimensions. To be poor is to recognize our state of dependence on God and others. True poverty is a state of emptiness that only God can fill. As we grow in humility and reliance on Him, we too can proclaim with the psalmist: “I shall not be shaken!”
A Call to action
Today, Pope Francis shares a meal with 1,300 poor people in Rome, demonstrating the Gospel in action. Poverty exists everywhere – even in Rome! —not just in material terms but as a universal human condition of insufficiency. As the Holy Father reminds us, “Enough is wealth; nothing is poverty.”
Let us, in turn, extend a helping hand to someone in need, be it through kindness, prayer, or acts of charity. Let us lean on God, for in Him we find our strength and courage.
Even if the world trembles, even if the heavens shake, I shall not be shaken—because I lean on God!
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi (@ Sower)
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Image courtesy: Dicastery for Evangelization, Vatican
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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