Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Faith In A Saving God

Liturgical Cycle: C | Lectionary Cycle: I

Introduction

Today’s story of the first reading is not historical but edifying. It applies again to Antiochus IV “Epiphanes,” who obliged the people in his kingdom to pray only to his god, Baal-Zeus, of whom he pretended to be the manifestation. Of course, the Jews (Daniel) contested this order.

The destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of disaster in nature are for us signs of the trials of the Christian life and of the difficult coming of God’s kingdom among people. But let us not forget that we ourselves also delay this kingdom by our selfishness, our hunger for power, and all the evil we cause one another. Yet our meagre efforts will help to bring salvation nearer. With the help of Christ present among us, we can grow in love, forgiveness, compassion, and peace. We should keep our heads raised in hope.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
we are your people on the march
who try to carry out the task
of giving shape to your kingdom of love and peace.
When we are discouraged and afraid,
keep us going forward in hope.
Make us vigilant in prayer,
that we may see the signs of your Son’s coming.
Let Jesus walk with us already now
on the road he has shown us,
that he may lead us to you,
our living God for ever and ever.

First Reading

Daniel 6:12-28

Some men rushed into the upper chamber of Daniel’s home
and found him praying and pleading before his God.
Then they went to remind the king about the prohibition:
“Did you not decree, O king,
that no one is to address a petition to god or man
for thirty days, except to you, O king;
otherwise he shall be cast into a den of lions?”
The king answered them, “The decree is absolute,
irrevocable under the Mede and Persian law.”
To this they replied, “Daniel, the Jewish exile,
has paid no attention to you, O king,
or to the decree you issued;
three times a day he offers his prayer.”
The king was deeply grieved at this news
and he made up his mind to save Daniel;
he worked till sunset to rescue him.
But these men insisted.
They said, “Keep in mind, O king,
that under the Mede and Persian law
every royal prohibition or decree is irrevocable.”
So the king ordered Daniel to be brought and cast into the lions’ den.
To Daniel he said,
“May your God, whom you serve so constantly, save you.”
To forestall any tampering,
the king sealed with his own ring and the rings of the lords
the stone that had been brought to block the opening of the den.

Then the king returned to his palace for the night;
he refused to eat and he dismissed the entertainers.
Since sleep was impossible for him,
the king rose very early the next morning
and hastened to the lions’ den.
As he drew near, he cried out to Daniel sorrowfully,
“O Daniel, servant of the living God,
has the God whom you serve so constantly
been able to save you from the lions?”
Daniel answered the king: “O king, live forever!
My God has sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths
so that they have not hurt me.
For I have been found innocent before him;
neither to you have I done any harm, O king!”
This gave the king great joy.
At his order Daniel was removed from the den,
unhurt because he trusted in his God.
The king then ordered the men who had accused Daniel,
along with their children and their wives,
to be cast into the lions’ den.

Before they reached the bottom of the den,
the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Then King Darius wrote to the nations and peoples of every language,
wherever they dwell on the earth: “All peace to you!
I decree that throughout my royal domain
the God of Daniel is to be reverenced and feared:

“For he is the living God, enduring forever;
his Kingdom shall not be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be without end.
He is a deliverer and savior,
working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth,
and he delivered Daniel from the lions’ power.”

Responsorial Psalm

Daniel 3:68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74

R.   (59b) Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Dew and rain, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.   Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Frost and chill, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.   Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Ice and snow, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.   Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Nights and days, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.   Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Light and darkness, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.   Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.   Give glory and eternal praise to him.
“Let the earth bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
R.   Give glory and eternal praise to him.

Alleluia Verse

Luke 21:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Luke 21:20-28

When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that the time has come when it will be destroyed wasteland.

If you are in Judea, flee to the mountains! If you are in Jerusalem, leave! If you are outside the city, don’t enter it!

For these will be the days of its punishment, and everything that was foretold in the Scriptures will be come true.

How difficult will it be for pregnant women and mothers nursing their babies! A great calamity will befall the land, and wrath will come upon these people.

They will be executed by the sword or taken as slaves to other nations.

Jerusalem will be trampled on by the pagans until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.

Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and on the earth, nations will suffer anguish, confused when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves.

People will faint with fear just thinking about what is coming upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken.

Then, at that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

So, when you see things start to happen, stand tall and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is near.”

Prayers of the Faithful

– Lord Jesus, when we are confused and discouraged, tell us: “Stand up and raise your heads, because your salvation is near,” we pray:

– Lord Jesus, make us people of hope, not of fear, we pray:

– Lord Jesus, we pray for people who despair of themselves and of the meaning of life; give them courage and hope, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God,
as a pledge of your promises
you give us your Son Jesus Christ
in these signs of bread and wine.
We do not ask you for a life
without problems and risks
but for your Son’s vision
of a world in which you are present
and for your Son’s courage
to answer with our own lives
your call to build up a new world
in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God, merciful Father,
you have spoken to us your word of hope
and renewed our strength
with the bread of life of your Son.
Free our faith from banality and routine
and send us out with your Son
to restore integrity and love
and the trust that with him
we can give shape to a future
beyond all human expectations,
for the future belongs to you, our living God.

Grant us this through Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Keep your heads high in hope was the message of today. Keep hoping, even in the midst of wars and violence. Keep hoping when there is much injustice. Keep hoping when there is much hatred and discrimination. Keep hoping, for there is a future. Christ is with you, and with him we can do away with evil in us and in our world. Keep your heads high, and may God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

REFLECTIONS

27 November 2025

Luke 21:20-28

Stand erect, hold your heads high

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues his apocalyptic discourse of destruction, images of armies surrounding the city, chaos in the heavens, and nations trembling in fear. Yet even amid this turmoil, he offers a message of profound hope: “When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.”

For the early Christians, the fall of Jerusalem was a traumatic moment. The city they loved — the centre of their faith and identity — lay in ruins. It must have seemed like the end of everything. But Luke, writing years after the destruction, helps his readers see that even this tragedy was not outside God’s plan. The old world was passing away, and God was preparing to bring forth something new — “a new heaven and a new earth.”

This passage reminds us that God’s work often unfolds through crisis. Jesus calls us not to despair but to hope. In the midst of wars, disasters, and confusion — whether in the world or in our personal lives — He invites us to remain upright and faithful. Liberation is near, not in the sense of escape from suffering, but as the dawning of God’s kingdom of justice, peace, and humanity.

The Son of Man comes “in a cloud with power and great glory.” This is not a fearful image, but the vision of a fully human and divine kingdom, where love replaces domination and mercy triumphs over violence. Our task, as disciples, is to prepare for that kingdom — to humanize our world, our relationships, and our communities.

So when everything seems to fall apart, let us remember the words of Jesus: “Stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near.”

“Jesus is Gonna Win”

Do you struggle to understand the complex narratives in the Book of Revelation? Here is an incident that may help you better understand the Book: James Hewett, in his book Illustrations Unlimited, narrates the story of Bernard Travaieille, a student at a theological seminary. One day, while playing basketball, he noticed that the aged janitor, who waited patiently for the kids to finish their games before he locked up the gym, was reading the Bible. Bernard realized that the man, who evidently had little formal schooling, was reading the Book of Revelation that even biblical scholars had difficulty grasping. Surprised, Bernard asked the janitor: “Do you understand it?” the janitor replied: “Oh yes, I understand it.” Now really intrigued, Bernard probed: “You understand the Book of Revelation? What do you think it means?” The janitor replied calmly: “It means that Jesus is gonna win.”

28 November 2024

Hope in the Midst of Trials: The Kingdom is Near

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues his Apocalyptic Discourse, presenting two concluding signs: the destruction of Jerusalem and the transformation of creation. These signs are intended to evoke hope rather than fear, serving as a reminder of God’s lasting presence and His promise of a renewed world—a “new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17).

Jesus begins by discussing the impending destruction of Jerusalem, a concept that deeply unsettles His disciples. For them, Jerusalem was more than just a city; it was a symbol of God's presence and protection. While the thought of its destruction might seem alarming, Jesus offers reassurance that this event is part of God's greater plan. In the same way, when we face moments of chaos, loss, or uncertainty in our lives, we can find comfort in knowing that God's influence remains steadfast. Jesus encourages us to look beyond our immediate circumstances, reminding us that our challenges and hardships are not the end of our story, but rather integral parts of the larger narrative that God is crafting.

Next, Jesus describes signs in the heavens—the eighth sign—marking the passing of the old creation and the birth of the new creation. Like the pain of childbirth, these events herald the birth of new life. He speaks of “the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27). This image, drawn from Daniel, symbolizes the arrival of God’s kingdom—a human kingdom where justice, love, and mercy flourish.

"Stand erect and hold our heads high". These words reassure us that no matter how chaotic or broken our world may seem, God is in control, and His kingdom is at hand. Let us live with hope, courage, and faith, committed to building His kingdom here on earth, knowing that each act of love and justice we offer now is a seed of His eternal reign.