Our Sabbath Scripture Stories – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C

Read or listen to this Sunday’s Mass readings here.

  • Malachi 3:19-20a
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
  • Luke 21:5-19

Mary Clare and Vincent scanned the headlines of the Sunday paper this morning.  The news was depressing.  An earthquake in Argentina, a paralyzing storm in North Dakota, robberies in Chicago, another outbreak in the Middle East.

“It seems like the end of the world is coming!” Mary Clare sighed.  “Things are happening all over!”

“I know what you mean, Mary Clare,” Vincent added.  “If it’s not a natural disaster, it’s a social issue.”

Dad came into the living room and heard the two of them talking.  “Our Gospel reading for today talks about these very things,” Dad said to them.

The rest of the Pauline family came in, and Dad opened the Bible to Luke, chapter 21, verses 5 through 19.  The reading dealt with the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the world, the second coming of Jesus, and the persecution of the Church.

“Dad, is Jesus telling us not to worry when all these things happen?” Lucy asked her father.

Dad could only sigh.  “Well, Lucy, Jesus tells us that many things will be destroyed and false prophets will be misleading people.  People will be persecuted for being a follower of Jesus.  But the most important thing to do is to always stay faithful to Him.  That’s what will get you through anything.”

“But I feel so awful about all the bad things, Dad,” Vincent said.  “I know we should always stay faithful to Jesus, but is there anything else we can do?”

“Two things, Vincent,” Dad replied.  “We can help those in need by assisting them whenever we can.  It could mean going out and doing the work if we are able, or helping them with a money offering.  And the second thing we can do is pray for them.”

“I really think we should do that right now,” Lucy said.

The rest of the Paulines agreed.

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33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – CDownload

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