Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Revelation 5:1-10: John sees a sealed scroll in heaven, opened only by the victorious Lamb, symbolizing Jesus. This act prompts worship and recognition of His sacrifice redeeming all nations.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 149: Israel and Zion’s children are called to sing a new song, rejoicing in their King, celebrating with dance and music, as the Lord honors His people with victory.
• Gospel – Luke 19:41-44: Approaching Jerusalem, Jesus wept over it, lamenting its ignorance of what brings peace. He prophesied its besiegement and destruction by enemies, with not one stone left upon another, sorrowing that the city did not recognize its time of divine visitation.

The readings for Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 focus on repentance, Jesus’ sorrow for Jerusalem, and the Lamb’s worthiness. In Revelation, John shares his vision of a scroll, while Jesus mourns over the coming destruction of Jerusalem in the Gospel. Together, these readings remind us of the need for true conversion and to recognize God’s mercy.

• Judgment and Repentance: Both readings call us to reflect on our lives. Just as Jerusalem faced destruction for not accepting Jesus, we are warned to repent and change.
• Jesus’ Sorrow for Sin: Jesus mourns the city that will not recognize Him. This reminds us of how sin separates us from God and causes suffering.
• The Lamb’s Worthiness: In Revelation, only the Lamb is worthy to open the scroll. This symbolizes that only Jesus can reveal God’s full plan and bring salvation.
• Urgency of Conversion: Jesus weeps because the people missed their chance to turn to Him. This shows that repentance should not be delayed.
• God’s Mercy and Justice: God offers mercy but also justice for unrepented sin. We are reminded that God’s justice is always balanced by His mercy.
• Christ as Our Savior: Revelation shows the Lamb who was slain, representing Jesus’ sacrifice. We are reminded that Jesus’ death offers hope and salvation to all who follow Him.

The themes of Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 help us reflect on God’s call to repentance and the cost of ignoring it. These readings call us to open our hearts, trust in Christ’s sacrifice, and embrace the mercy He offers.

The readings for Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 bring us themes of God’s mercy, the sorrow Jesus feels over unrepented sin, and His unique role in revealing God’s plan for salvation. Through the image of the Lamb opening the scroll and Jesus’ mourning for Jerusalem, we are called to reflect on our own openness to God’s will. These passages ask us to turn away from sin, to place our trust in Jesus, and to live with a sense of urgency in our faith.

The Lamb Who Opens the Scroll

In the first reading for Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, John sees a scroll that no one can open—except the Lamb, who is Jesus. The scroll represents God’s complete plan for the world, and only Jesus has the authority to reveal and fulfill it. This shows that Jesus, by His sacrifice, has done what no one else could do. He alone opens the way to salvation and makes it possible for us to understand and follow God’s will.

This passage calls us to place our trust in Jesus and His role in our lives. We all have moments when God’s plan seems hidden from us, and we don’t know why things happen the way they do. But if we trust Jesus, who reveals God’s ways, we can have confidence that even in confusion, God is leading us. Jesus’ death and resurrection show us that God’s plan is always for good, even when we don’t fully understand it.

Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invites us to grow in faith that Jesus will guide us through all things. Just as the Lamb opens the scroll, Jesus helps us understand the steps we should take in our journey. This reading calls us to rely on Him, knowing that He is worthy to lead us and that God’s plan is perfect.

The Sorrow of Jesus Over Sin

In the Gospel for Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus looks at Jerusalem and mourns because the people have not accepted Him. He sees the pain that sin brings to the city, and He knows that it will soon suffer because of this rejection. This sorrow shows how much Jesus loves us and desires our salvation. His sadness over Jerusalem reminds us that sin separates us from God and brings suffering into our lives.

When we live without God, we miss out on the peace and closeness He wants to give us. Like the people of Jerusalem, we may overlook the ways Jesus is inviting us to turn from sin and choose His love. Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourages us to look at our own lives and recognize any ways we are closing our hearts to Jesus. When we allow sin to guide us, we choose separation from the life Jesus offers.

This reading reminds us that Jesus cares deeply about our choices. He longs to bring us closer to Himself, but He also respects our freedom. If we choose to turn away, He won’t force us to follow Him. Today’s Gospel calls us to look at the areas of our lives where we need to seek His forgiveness, so that we don’t experience the sorrow that sin brings.

The Urgency of Conversion

Both readings for Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 speak to the urgency of responding to God’s call. In Revelation, we see that only Jesus can open the scroll, showing that He alone holds the keys to salvation. This is a reminder that we should not delay in turning to Jesus. In the Gospel, Jesus mourns Jerusalem’s unwillingness to repent, knowing it will bring suffering. We see that failing to respond to Jesus leads to unnecessary pain and loss.

This message of urgency is relevant for each of us today. We may not know the future or understand God’s full plan, but we do know that Jesus offers us life and peace if we turn to Him. There is a real risk in putting off repentance or in thinking that we have unlimited time to turn back to God. Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourages us to choose Jesus now, while we have the chance.

Responding to God’s call is about allowing Him to guide us every day. When we choose to repent and seek His will, we experience the peace Jesus wanted for Jerusalem. These readings call us to let go of excuses and to open our hearts fully to Jesus, knowing that He has the power to lead us into eternal life.

The themes of Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us that Jesus is both our Savior and our gentle guide, offering us peace when we turn to Him. These reflections call us to keep our hearts open to His message and to seek His mercy without delay. By allowing Jesus to lead us, we receive His peace and guidance on the path to God.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to open our hearts to You. Give us the courage to turn away from sin and to trust in Your mercy. Lead us on Your path of peace, and help us to recognize Your voice in our lives. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I invite Jesus to lead me more fully each day?
• Are there areas of my life where I am hesitant to repent and change?
• How does Jesus’ sorrow for Jerusalem help me understand His love for us?
• In what ways can I respond more urgently to God’s call?

Word on Fire: Recognizing the Transient Nature of the World

In his reflection for Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron focuses on Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41-44. Jesus warns of destruction for not recognizing Him, likening it to a president-elect predicting the White House’s fall. Bishop Barron emphasizes Jesus’ message that nothing in this world is permanent, and therefore, should not be the focus of our deepest desires or strongest commitments. This teaching, central to the Gospel, reminds us of the fleeting nature of worldly things and the importance of discerning what truly merits our devotion.

What date is Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Thursday November 21, 2024.

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. For odd numbered years see Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

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

The Mass readings for Thursday November 21, 2024 are:
First Reading – Revelation 5:1-10: The Lamb Opens the Scroll
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 149: Joyful Praise to the Lord
Gospel – Luke 19:41-44: Jesus Weeps for Jerusalem

What does the scroll in Revelation mean in the first reading for Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The scroll represents God’s plan for salvation. Only Jesus, as the Lamb, is worthy to reveal this plan and bring it to fulfillment.

Why is Jesus called the Lamb?

Jesus is called the Lamb because He sacrificed Himself for our sins. This shows He is the one who takes away sin and brings us back to God.

What does the reading from Revelation tell us about repentance?

The reading shows that only Jesus can open the scroll, meaning He alone has the power to judge. This reminds us that He gives us time to repent and seek forgiveness.

How can we apply the message of the Lamb’s worthiness?

We can trust that Jesus is the only one who can save us from sin. He is worthy, and we can rely on His sacrifice to bring us closer to God.

Why does Jesus weep in the Gospel for Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus weeps because the people of Jerusalem did not accept Him. He knows they will suffer because they ignored His message of peace and salvation.

How does this day’s Gospel relate to our lives today in Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus’ sadness over Jerusalem reminds us to be open to His message. We are encouraged to turn away from sin and follow Him fully before it’s too late.

Why is it important to turn to Jesus?

The Gospel warns that ignoring Jesus leads to separation from God. We are encouraged to seek Him now and avoid the suffering that comes from turning away.

What can we learn from the sorrow of Jesus?

Jesus’ sorrow shows His deep love and care for us. It reminds us that He is hurt when we choose sin over His peace and mercy.

What message do these readings give about God’s mercy in Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The readings show that God offers mercy to those who repent. By turning to Jesus, we receive His forgiveness and peace instead of judgment.