Homily for the 33rd Sunday – Year C
Malachi 3:19-20a; Psalm 98; 2 Thess.3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19
Endurance in a World That Feels Like It’s Ending
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to meditate on the “last things”—not to frighten us, but to wake us up, to sharpen our hope, and to remind us of what truly matters. The readings today speak about signs of destruction, conflict, and upheaval. They sound like the world is falling apart. And for many people, perhaps even for some of us—it sometimes feels that way.
In the Gospel, Jesus’ disciples admire the beauty of the Temple, its stones and ornaments. Yet Jesus tells them something shocking:
“The days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another.” Jesus is teaching a crucial truth: Nothing in this world lasts forever—not buildings, not systems, not our possessions, not even the things we think are permanent. Only one thing endures: God’s love and our faithfulness to Him.
In the first reading, Malachi speaks of a day “blazing like an oven,” a day when evil will be undone and justice restored. Scripture does not describe these moments to terrify us but to remind us: God is not intimidated by chaos! Why? Because God is still in control, even when the world is not.
Psalm 98 echoes this hope:
“The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.”
He does not abandon us to darkness. Even when the world trembles, God remains steady.
In the second reading, St. Paul speaks to a community confused about the end times. Some people stopped working, stopped trying, stopped living responsibly, believing the end was near. Paul responds strongly:
“Do not grow idle.”
Keep living. Keep working. Keep loving. Keep serving.
Paul reminds us that holiness is not found in dramatic predictions but in daily faithfulness, in doing ordinary things with love, discipline, and perseverance. Faithfulness in ordinary living…doing little things in big ways!
In the Gospel, Jesus warns His followers that they will face trials—false prophets, wars, persecutions, betrayals—even hatred. But then He gives one of the most hopeful promises in the whole New Testament:
“I myself will give you a wisdom in speaking.”
“Not a hair on your head will be destroyed.”
“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
Jesus is simply saying: Do not be afraid!
Jesus doesn’t say we will avoid suffering.
He says we will not face it alone. The world may shake, but God’s presence is unshakeable.
Each of us faces “end-of-the-world moments”:
- A diagnosis that changes everything
- A loved one declining
- A relationship breaking apart
- A financial burden
- A fear of the future
- A deep loneliness or discouragement
- The painful unpredictability of life
Jesus is not asking us to read signs or predict dates.
He is asking us to trust Him in the middle of our storms.
Our faith is not proven in the moments when life is beautiful, but in the moments when life is broken.
What do we do?
Perseverance: a consistent choice to keep going!
Jesus says: “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
Perseverance is not stubbornness.
It is not denial.
It is not pretending everything is okay. Perseverance is:
- Holding on to Christ when everything else falls apart
- Doing good even when we are tired
- Choosing love over anger
- Choosing forgiveness over bitterness
- Choosing to hope over despair
Perseverance is faith in motion.
Thus, as we prepare for the end of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to reflect on both the fragility of life and the enduring strength of God.
One day, everything we know will pass away.
But God’s love will not.
His mercy will not.
His promises will not.
Let us leave today with the words of Jesus planted deep in our hearts:
“Do not be frightened.”
“I am with you.”
“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
May we walk forward with courage, anchored in hope, and strengthened by the One who holds all time and eternity in His hands.
Amen.
Have a splendid day!
