Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 15 November 2026
First Reading: Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (30-31)
The author praises the God-fearing woman in today’s reading, but it also applies to all people — men and women! The woman’s work is also praised because she brings prosperity and is generous to the needy. Likewise, all people in their own capacity can be industrious and gain prosperity so that they can be generous to those around them. “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10, Prov. 1:7, 9:10). It is no surprise then that the God-fearing person is praised!
As we heard in last Sunday’s Gospel about the wise virgins, we ask the Lord to grant us the wisdom we need – to do the right thing, at the right time! To prepare in advance for the journey ahead! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128: 1-5
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours. (1-2)
Amen, Alleluia!
Second Reading: First Thessalonians 5: 1-6
“But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” (4-6)
St. Paul tells us today: “…you are all children of the light!” He also warns us “…not to be like others!” We have been gifted to be the children of God, yet it is in our daily choices that we reject or receive His Gift. There are others too, St. Paul notes: “who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober!” What does it take us to remain awake and sober, spiritually?
How might we choose differently, to make wiser choices? We ask the Lord today that we may keep our eyes open and minds alert even in the darkness that may surround us!
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Alleluia: John 15: 4a, 5b
Alleluia, Alleluia!! “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. (5)
Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 25: 14-30
‘So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ (25)
‘Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned, I would have received it back with interest.’ (27)
The Master knew each person’s ability when he granted them the bags! The ‘one-bag’ man claimed that he was ‘afraid’ of His Master’s method of assessment! The Lord calls him ‘wicked’ and ‘lazy’; for having already known the pending accountability, he didn’t prepare for it! Even though he claimed he was ‘afraid’, the Lord also gave him a solution: he could have sought the services of the bank to multiply what he already had!
Now, reflecting on ourselves, what is the spiritual assessment method we will be judged by? – The Ten Commandments (Ex. 20: 1-17) and the Beatitudes! (Mt. 5: 1-12) and the Great Commandment: Love of God and Love of neighbour! (Mt. 32:27 and Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27) How do we measure up to them? What are the changes we need to make today? How many times do we hear the Lord tell us not to be afraid? Whose services can we enlist to help us profit from our talents? What means can we employ to remain in the Lord Jesus?
We ask the Lord God to grant us wisdom along with a holy fear of the Lord. We also ask the Creator Lord to grant us the love we need to inculcate in ourselves, as his children! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Happy Sunday, Everyone!
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