Saturday 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 6:1-13: King Antiochus, failing to plunder Elymais and learning of his army's defeat in Judah, becomes grievously ill. Reflecting on his past atrocities, he faces death in despair.
• First Reading (Cycle 2) - Revelation 11:4-12: John describes two powerful witnesses of God, able to perform miracles and defeat enemies. After being killed by a beast, they are resurrected and ascend to heaven, striking awe in onlookers.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 9: I gratefully acknowledge God's mighty deeds, rejoicing in His triumph over my enemies. He delivers justice, ensuring the needy and afflicted are not forgotten.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 144: Blessed is the Lord, my rock and fortress, who prepares me for battle and shields me. I sing praises to Him who grants victory and delivers from harm.
• Gospel - Luke 20:27-40: Confronted by Sadducees with a question about marriage and resurrection, Jesus clarified that in the resurrected life, people neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are immortal like angels and children of God. He affirmed the resurrection, citing Moses' encounter with God as evidence that God is of the living, not the dead, thus silencing his questioners.

That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.

Luke 20:37-38

• Reality of the Resurrection: Jesus affirms the reality of the resurrection, challenging the Sadducees’ disbelief. This theme underscores the Christian belief in life after death and the resurrection of the body.
• God of the Living: Jesus' reference to God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as “the God of the living” highlights the enduring relationship between God and His people. It suggests that to God, all are alive, affirming the continuity of life beyond physical death.
• Understanding of Marriage in Heaven: Jesus’ explanation that people in the resurrected state will not marry nor be given in marriage points to a different existence in the afterlife. This implies that earthly relationships will be transformed into a different, more spiritual nature in heaven.
• Limitations of Human Understanding: The Sadducees’ question and confusion reflect the limitations of human understanding, especially concerning divine mysteries like the resurrection. This theme encourages humility and reliance on divine revelation for understanding spiritual truths.

In the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 20:27-40, we encounter a interaction between Jesus and the Sadducees, a group known for denying the resurrection. The Sadducees present Jesus with a trick question, attempting to entangle Him in a theological snare. Their query about a woman who marries seven brothers in succession, under the Jewish law of levirate marriage, is aimed not at seeking truth but at discrediting the concept of resurrection. This scene vividly illustrates how, at times, intellectual pride and reliance on human logic can lead us away from the profound mysteries of faith.

Jesus' response to the Sadducees is not just a rebuttal but a teaching on the nature of life after death. He challenges their

limited understanding by pointing out that life in the age to come is fundamentally different from our earthly existence. In doing so, Jesus invites us and the Sadducees to transcend our limited human perspective and embrace the mysteries of faith with humility and openness. This encounter beckons us to reflect on our own approach to faith: Do we, like the Sadducees, base our beliefs solely on our knowledge and understanding, or are we willing to trust in the mysteries that transcend our comprehension?

The heart of Jesus' message lies in the revelation that “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.” This statement is a profound affirmation of faith in the resurrection and the eternal life promised by Christ. It challenges us to expand our understanding of God beyond the confines of human logic and experience. This Gospel passage invites us to contemplate our relationship with God: Do we see Him as a distant, abstract deity governed by the limitations of human logic, or as the God of the living, actively involved in our lives and beyond our full understanding?

Finally, this Gospel passage calls us to a deeper faith, one that embraces the mysteries of God’s kingdom. It encourages us to trust in the promise of resurrection and eternal life, even when it goes beyond our earthly understanding. As we reflect on this passage, let us ask ourselves: Are we open to the transformative power of faith that allows us to see beyond the temporal and into the eternal? In embracing this faith, we open ourselves to the fullness of life with God, who is indeed the God of the living, inviting us into a relationship that transcends death and offers eternal life.

Prayer

Jesus, teach me to trust in you even when I don't understand. In the end, your love and mercy will carry me through. Amen.

Word on Fire: Resurrection and Justice

In his reflection for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron discusses Jesus' conversation with the Sadducees about life after death. He highlights Jesus' affirmation of resurrection, citing Moses' reference to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as evidence of life beyond death. Bishop Barron emphasizes that belief in bodily resurrection is integral to working effectively for justice and peace. Contrasting this with secular materialism, he asserts that faith in resurrection gives purpose and value to all aspects of the world, as it suggests everything is destined for redemption.

USCCB Reflection: Worthiness and Openness to Grace

The USCCB reflection for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time discusses how we, like angels, are called to eternal life with both body and soul. It emphasizes that worthiness for this life isn't earned but granted through Jesus' sacrifice. The key lies in our response to Jesus' invitation to eternal life, which involves being open to God's grace, repentance, and humility. It also highlights the importance of living our earthly lives in the kingdom of God, focusing on what truly matters and staying close to Jesus. The reflection suggests that our openness and willingness to be formed by God are crucial to feeling 'alive', akin to the angels.

Hope to Die: The Christian Meaning of Death and the Resurrection of the Body

Scott Hahn delves into the profound Christian perspective on death and resurrection, offering a compelling reflection that resonates deeply with the themes of resurrection in Luke 20:27-40. His insights bring a unique understanding to the Christian belief in life after death, aligning perfectly with the scriptural discussions about resurrection and eternal life. (Sponsored)

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

The next date is Saturday November 23, 2024.

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

The Mass readings for Saturday November 22, 2025 are:
First Reading (Cycle 1) - 1 Maccabees 6:1-13: Antiochus' Downfall
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 9: Grateful Praise to the Lord
Gospel - Luke 20:27-40: Marriage and Resurrection

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

The Mass readings for Saturday November 23, 2024 are:
First Reading (Cycle 2) - Revelation 11:4-12: The Two Witnesses
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 144: Praise to the Lord My Rock
Gospel - Luke 20:27-40: Marriage and Resurrection

Why do the Sadducees question Jesus about the resurrection in the gospel for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time?

The Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, pose this question in Luke 20:27-40 to challenge Jesus and test His teachings.

What does Jesus mean by saying people are like angels in the resurrection in the gospel for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time?

In Luke 20:27-40, Jesus implies that in the resurrected life, people will experience a transformed existence that transcends earthly relationships and concerns.

How does Jesus use Moses’ encounter with God to affirm the resurrection in the gospel for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time?

In Luke 20:27-40, Jesus cites Moses referring to God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, suggesting that these patriarchs are alive, thereby affirming the resurrection.

How does the gospel for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time challenge our understanding of life after death?

Luke 20:27-40 challenges us to reconsider our earthly relationships and understanding of life in the context of eternal life and resurrection.

What is the historical context of the first reading for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

1 Maccabees 6:1-13 describes King Antiochus's despair as he reflects on his past actions and faces death, during the period of the Maccabean Revolt in Jewish history.

What is the significance of King Antiochus's reflections in the first reading for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

His reflections in 1 Maccabees 6:1-13 highlight the themes of regret, the consequences of one's actions, and the human experience of facing mortality.

What lessons can we learn from King Antiochus's story in the first reading for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

1 Maccabees 6:1-13 teaches about the consequences of one's actions, the inevitability of death, and the importance of living a life aligned with righteousness.

How does the responsorial psalm for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 relate to the theme of justice?

Psalm 9 celebrates God's justice, emphasizing His care for the needy and afflicted and His triumph over evil.

What is the message of the responsorial psalm for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 regarding God’s relationship with humanity?

Psalm 9 conveys that God is a protector of the vulnerable, a deliverer of justice, and mindful of those in need.

What are the key elements of the vision in the first reading for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Revelation 11:4-12 describes two witnesses of God who perform miracles and confront enemies. Their death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven are central themes.

Who are the two witnesses mentioned in the first reading for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The two witnesses in Revelation 11:4-12 are symbolic figures representing God's power and presence on Earth. Their exact identity is a subject of various interpretations in Christian theology.

What is the significance of the witnesses' resurrection and ascension in the first reading for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Their resurrection and ascension in Revelation 11:4-12 symbolize the triumph of God's power over evil and death, reinforcing the Christian belief in life after death.

How can the first reading for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 be interpreted in the context of Christian faith?

Revelation 11:4-12 can be seen as a metaphor for the enduring power of God's word and truth, even in the face of persecution and death.

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

Psalm 144 praises God as a protector and deliverer, resonating with the themes of divine power and victory over adversaries seen in the other readings.

What message does the responsorial psalm for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 convey about God’s role in our lives?

Psalm 144 highlights God as a stronghold, a deliverer, and a source of strength in battles and challenges, emphasizing His active involvement in the lives of believers.

How can the concept of resurrection in these readings for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time impact our daily lives?

Belief in resurrection can inspire hope and purpose, influencing how we view our earthly struggles and the significance of our actions in the context of eternal life.

In what ways do these readings for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time guide us in dealing with doubts about faith?

The readings, particularly Jesus' interaction with the Sadducees, encourage us to approach doubts with an open heart and mind, seeking understanding through Scripture and prayer.