Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years.

• First Reading (Cycle 1) – 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63: Antiochus Epiphanes enforced Hellenization on Israel, leading some to abandon their customs. Despite persecution, many chose death over defiling themselves or breaking the holy covenant.
• First Reading (Cycle 2) – Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5: John’s revelation from Jesus praises the Church in Ephesus for endurance and truth but admonishes their loss of initial love, urging repentance to maintain their spiritual standing.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) – Psalm 119: Overwhelmed by the wicked’s disregard for God’s law, I seek redemption and cling to His precepts, despising those who forsake His promise.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) – Psalm 1: The blessed man shuns wickedness, delights in God’s law, and prospers like a tree by water. The Lord protects the just, while the wicked perish.
• Gospel – Luke 18:35-43: A blind man begging by the roadside in Jericho called out to Jesus for mercy. Despite being rebuked by the crowd, he persisted. Jesus responded, asking what he wished. Upon his request for sight, Jesus healed him, crediting his faith. He regained his sight, followed Jesus, and both he and the onlookers glorified God.

Jesus asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He replied, “Lord, please let me see.’

Luke 18:41

• Faith in Jesus’ Power to Heal: The blind man’s repeated plea, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” demonstrates his faith in Jesus’ ability to heal him. This theme highlights the necessity of faith in Jesus’ power and His willingness to respond to those who believe.
• Persistence in Seeking Jesus: Despite being rebuked by the crowd, the blind man persists in calling out to Jesus. This persistence illustrates the importance of perseverance in seeking Jesus, even in the face of opposition or discouragement.
• Restoration of Sight as Spiritual Enlightenment: The healing of physical blindness also symbolizes spiritual enlightenment. The man’s restored sight parallels the opening of spiritual eyes to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and the path to salvation.
• Public Declaration of Faith: After being healed, the man follows Jesus, glorifying God, and his actions lead others to praise God. This theme underscores the importance of publicly acknowledging and sharing one’s faith journey as a witness to others.
• Jesus’ Role as Fulfiller of Prophecy: The title “Son of David” used by the blind man signifies Jesus as the fulfillment of messianic prophecies. This connection underlines Jesus’ identity as the promised Messiah in Jewish tradition.

In reflecting on the gospel for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 18:35-43, we encounter a powerful narrative of faith and healing. The story of the blind man reaching out to Jesus is a poignant reminder of our own spiritual journey. The blind man’s simple yet profound request, “Lord, that I may see,” echoes in the depths of our hearts. This plea is not just for physical sight, but for spiritual clarity and insight. His unwavering faith in Jesus’ power to heal not only restores his physical vision but also illuminates a path of spiritual awakening.

This narrative invites us to introspectively ask ourselves, “Do I want to see?” It’s a question that challenges our comfort zones and confronts the ease with which we often overlook the needs around us. Seeing in this context goes beyond mere observation; it involves a deep recognition of our surroundings, the people in our lives, and the consequences of our actions. It’s a call to be profoundly aware and responsive to the world, not just as passive onlookers but as active participants in God’s creation.

However, the act of seeing, as the gospel suggests, requires courage. To see means to acknowledge the realities that we often choose to ignore. It involves facing the uncomfortable truths about ourselves, our prejudices, and our failures. When we truly see, we are compelled to recognize the person who needs our help, the impact of our words and deeds, and the areas in our lives that need change and growth. This kind of vision often demands a radical shift in our perspectives and actions, aligning them more closely with Christ’s teachings and example.

Luke 18:35-43 is not just a miraculous account from the past; it’s a living invitation to each of us today. It urges us to seek sight from Jesus, not just in the physical sense but in a deeply spiritual way. Let us pray for the courage to see – really see – and respond to the world around us with the love, compassion, and wisdom that comes from Christ. May our plea for sight be as earnest as that of the blind man, and may our newfound vision inspire us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

Prayer

Jesus, I want to see. Show me how I can follow you today. Grant me sight to see where you are leading me. Amen.

Word on Fire: The Ultimate Healer

In his reflection for Monday of the 33rd week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron highlights Jesus’ mercy and healing power in the Gospel. He emphasizes Jesus as the healer and savior, embodying hope and connecting human suffering to divine life and health. Addressing the question of why Jesus doesn’t heal everyone, Bishop Barron points to the mystery of God’s will. He stresses that Jesus’ healing transcends physical ailments, focusing instead on the ultimate salvation from sin and death. This historical manifestation of Jesus is seen as an eschatological anticipation, hinting at what will come in God’s time and way.

USCCB Reflection: Seeing with Christ’s Eyes

This USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 33rd week in Ordinary Time recalls a strategy used in Catholic high school open houses, where students from diverse backgrounds volunteered to give tours, resulting in increased enrollment. This story parallels the Gospel’s message about Jesus reaching out to marginalized individuals, like the blind man, who the community wanted to silence. The reflection emphasizes the importance of community and inclusion, encouraging the Church to live in hospitality and welcome, fostering encounters with Christ. It concludes with a call to see with the eyes of Christ and serve others, allowing Jesus to heal us through our faith.

What date is Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time?

The next date is Monday November 18, 2024.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Monday November 17, 2025 are:

First Reading (Cycle 1) – 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63: Israel’s Defiance
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) – Psalm 119: Yearning for God’s Law
Gospel – Luke 18:35-43: Blind Man’s Faith Heals

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Monday November 18, 2024 are:

First Reading (Cycle 2) – Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5: Revelation to Ephesus
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) – Psalm 1: The Righteous Flourish
Gospel – Luke 18:35-43: Blind Man’s Faith Heals

What happens in the Gospel for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time?

In Luke 18:35-43, a blind man by the roadside in Jericho calls out to Jesus for mercy. Despite being rebuked by the crowd, he persists. Jesus asks him what he wishes, and upon requesting sight, Jesus heals him, attributing the healing to his faith. The man regains his sight, follows Jesus, and both he and the onlookers glorify God.

What lessons can we learn from the Gospel for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time?

The story in Luke 18:35-43 teaches about persistence in faith, the power of Jesus to heal, and the importance of acknowledging and glorifying God in our lives. It also shows that faith can overcome societal barriers and lead to transformative experiences.

What is the significance of the first reading for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

This passage from 1 Maccabees 1 describes the enforcement of Hellenization on Israel by Antiochus Epiphanes, leading some Israelites to abandon their customs. It highlights the tension between cultural assimilation and religious fidelity, showing that many chose death over defiling themselves or breaking the holy covenant.

How does the responsorial psalm for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 relate to the themes of the day?

Psalm 119 expresses a deep longing for God’s redemption and a commitment to His precepts. It resonates with the themes of staying true to God’s laws and commands in the face of adversity, as seen in the first reading.

How do the readings for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 connect with each other?

The readings collectively emphasize faithfulness to God amidst challenges. The first reading focuses on steadfastness in the face of cultural and religious persecution, the Psalm expresses a deep yearning for God’s guidance and righteousness, and the Gospel illustrates faith’s power to overcome physical and societal limitations.

How can these readings for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 be applied in contemporary life?

These readings encourage us to remain faithful to our beliefs and values, even when faced with societal pressures or challenges. They also inspire us to seek God’s guidance in difficult times and to persist in our faith, trusting in God’s healing and transformative power.

What is the message in the first reading for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

This passage from Revelation is a message from Jesus to the Church in Ephesus, acknowledging their endurance and commitment to truth but admonishing them for losing their initial fervor and love. It urges repentance to regain and maintain their spiritual standing.

How does the responsorial psalm relate to the themes for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Psalm 1 describes the prosperity and blessing of those who follow God’s law and avoid wickedness. This theme complements the call to repentance and faithfulness in Revelation and the demonstration of faith in the Gospel.

How are the readings for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 interconnected?

The readings emphasize the importance of steadfast faith and spiritual renewal. Revelation calls for a return to initial fervor, Psalm 1 speaks of the blessings of following God’s law, and the Gospel illustrates the impact of persistent faith and the power of Jesus’ healing.

How can these readings for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 be applied in modern contexts?

These readings encourage contemporary believers to examine their spiritual zeal, urging a rekindling of initial love and passion for God. They also remind us of the importance of staying true to our faith and the power of prayer and persistence in the face of challenges or adversity.