The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to work as Christians even as we encounter persecution on our Way.
The Reading from the Prophet Malachi declares the Need to Serve God [CCCB Malachi 4.1-2 (USCCB Malachi 3:19-20a)]
* [3:20] Wings: a common symbol of the manifestation of a god in the ancient Near East is the winged sun disk found, for example, on premonarchic jar handles. Cf. Nm 6:25; Ps 4:7; 31:17; 34:6; 84:12. (Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 98 extolls welcome for God’s coming to rule over the world
* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Reading from the Letter to the Thessalonians addresses Neglect of Work.
* [3:1–18] The final chapter urges the Thessalonians to pray for Paul and his colleagues (2 Thes 3:1–2) and reiterates confidence in the Thessalonians (2 Thes 3:3–5), while admonishing them about a specific problem in their community that has grown out of the intense eschatological speculation, namely, not to work but to become instead disorderly busybodies (2 Thes 3:6–15). A benediction (2 Thes 3:16) and postscript in Paul’s own hand round out the letter. On 2 Thes 3:17–18, cf. note on 2 Thes 2:2. (2 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, the Destruction of the Temple is Foretold as Signs of the End and the Coming Persecution.
* [21:5–36] Jesus’ eschatological discourse in Luke is inspired by Mk 13 but Luke has made some significant alterations to the words of Jesus found there. Luke maintains, though in a modified form, the belief in the early expectation of the end of the age (see Lk 21:27, 28, 31, 32, 36), but, by focusing attention throughout the gospel on the importance of the day-to-day following of Jesus and by reinterpreting the meaning of some of the signs of the end from Mk 13 he has come to terms with what seemed to the early Christian community to be a delay of the parousia. Mark, for example, described the desecration of the Jerusalem temple by the Romans (Mk 13:14) as the apocalyptic symbol (see Dn 9:27; 12:11) accompanying the end of the age and the coming of the Son of Man. Luke (Lk 21:20–24), however, removes the apocalyptic setting and separates the historical destruction of Jerusalem from the signs of the coming of the Son of Man by a period that he refers to as “the times of the Gentiles” (Lk 21:24). See also notes on Mt 24:1–36 and Mk 13:1–37.
* [21:8] The time has come: in Luke, the proclamation of the imminent end of the age has itself become a false teaching.
* [21:12] Before all this happens…: to Luke and his community, some of the signs of the end just described (Lk 21:10–11) still lie in the future. Now in dealing with the persecution of the disciples (Lk 21:12–19) and the destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21:20–24) Luke is pointing to eschatological signs that have already been fulfilled.
* [21:15] A wisdom in speaking: literally, “a mouth and wisdom.” (Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)
Rev. George Meze, SJ, reflects that persecution is difficult to reconcile with, especially when one is persecuted for good deeds. How can God allow good people to suffer?
The call of discipleship for each Christian is also a call to share in the mystery of suffering so that we may both give and receive the joy of Christ. At times, we are called to carry the cross of our neighbors, just as Jesus did for us.
We surrender to our Lord’s words, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” (Meze, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “First signs of the end times,” by Maximus of Turin (died between 408-423 AD).
"Perhaps you are anxious, brothers and sisters, at the fact that we hear constantly of the tumult of wars and the onsets of battles. Perhaps your love is still more anxious since these are taking place in our times. The reason is the closer we are to the destruction of the world, the closer we are to the kingdom of the Savior. The Lord himself says, 'In the last days nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. When you see wars, earthquakes and famines, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.'This nearness of wars shows us that Christ is near." (excerpt from SERMON 85.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 21:5-19 comments that Jesus’ words make sense, both then and now, only if we look beyond this life to the next. He is promising that we will “secure” our lives for heaven if we persevere through hardship and struggle and trust in his grace no matter what comes (Luke 21:19). Then, when our life here on earth ends, we can look forward to the promise of living forever with our Lord. (Meditation on Luke 21:5-19, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler explains that in Malachi apocalyptic judgement is presented as we approach the end of the Church year. We need to follow the example of the Apostles . We should follow virtue and be virtuous to show our faith. The Thessalonians who thought the end near are reminded to do an honest day's work. Luke, writing after 70 AD, seems to offer a description of the actual destruction of Jerusalem. Friar Jude refers to 2nd century persecutions that remind us of the price to pay for being a Christian is not always easy in our everyday life.
Fr. Mike Schmitz briefly expands on the story of the poor widow’s offering, emphasizing that the Lord cares more about the size of our hearts than about the size of our gifts. Fr. Mike also underscores Jesus’ moving words to Peter when he foretells Peter’s denial. Jesus’ words remind us that no matter how fiercely the enemy tries to attack us, he is always praying for each and every one of us. Today's readings are Luke 20-22:38 and Proverbs 26:17-19.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers how Jesus challenges the worldviews constructed by our religions, cultures, and family upbringings. Our operative worldview is formed by three images that are inside every one of us. They are not something from outside; they have already taken shape within us. All we can do is become aware of them, which is to awaken them.
The three images to be awakened and transformed are our image of self, our image of God, and our image of the world. A true hearing of the gospel transforms those images into a very exciting and, I believe, truthful worldview. When we say Christ is the truth, that’s what we mean. Christ renames reality correctly, according to what reality honestly is, putting aside whatever we think it is or whatever we fear it is. Reality is always better than any of us imagined or feared; there is joy associated with a true hearing of the gospel.
All together, we could put it this way: “What should life be?” “Why isn’t it?” “How do we repair it?” When these are answered for us, at least implicitly, we have our game plan, and we can live with safety and purpose in this world. (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate how our relationship with ourselves, God, and the world is evidence in action of mission as “workers in the vineyard” of Christ.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?5
Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3?19
Meditation on Luke 21:5-19. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/16/1430450/
Meze, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-16-2025
Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?5
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Our Operative Worldview. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/our-operative-worldview/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Take Heed That You Are Not Led Astray. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
2 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2thessalonians/3?7
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