33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) - 16 November 2025
16th November 2025
“Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me and I in Him.’” – Saint Francis de Sales
An excerpt of the Angelus address of Pope Benedict XVI at St Peter’s Square, Sunday, 18 November 2007:
In today’s Gospel passage, St Luke reproposes the Biblical view of history for our reflection and refers to Jesus’ words that invite the disciples not to fear, but to face difficulties, misunderstandings and even persecutions with trust, persevering through faith in him. The Lord says: “When you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once” (Lk 21: 9). Keeping this admonition in mind, from the beginning the Church lives in prayerful waiting for her Lord, scrutinising the signs of the times and putting the faithful on guard against recurring messiahs, who from time to time announce the world’s end as imminent. In reality, history must run its course, which brings with it also human dramas and natural calamities. In it a design of salvation is developed that Christ has already brought to fulfilment in His Incarnation, death and Resurrection. The Church continues to proclaim this mystery and to announce and accomplish it with her preaching, celebration of the sacraments and witness of charity.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us welcome Christ’s invitation to face daily events by trusting in his providential love. Let us not fear the future, even when it can appear with bleak colours, because the God of Jesus Christ, who entered history to open it to its transcendent fulfilment, is the alpha and the omega, the first and the last (see Rv 1: 8). He guarantees that in every little but genuine act of love there is the entire sense of the universe, and that the one who does not hesitate to lose his own life for Him finds it again in fullness (see Mt 16: 25).
Prayer for Strength and Protection
Lord Jesus Christ, You faced the trials of this world with courage and unwavering trust in the Father. Grant me strength to endure my own trials with faith and patience. Shield me from harm, guide me in every decision, and protect me from spiritual and emotional distress. Keep me always close to Your sacred heart, that I may find refuge and strength in You alone. Amen.
Art Credit: Christ the Comforter, Jesus consoling a grieving British war widow by Harold Copping (1863-1932)