Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5: John sees the Lamb with 144,000 on Mount Zion, marked by God’s name. They sing a unique hymn, known only to them, as the pure and truthful first fruits of humanity.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 24: The Lord owns the earth and its inhabitants. Only the pure-hearted may approach Him, receiving blessings and salvation, exemplifying those earnestly seeking God’s presence.
• Gospel – Luke 21:1-4: Observing people’s offerings at the treasury, Jesus pointed out a poor widow who contributed two small coins. He taught that her modest gift, given out of poverty, was greater than the larger offerings of the wealthy, as they gave from their surplus, while she sacrificed her entire livelihood.

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.

Luke 21:1

On Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings focus on themes of humility, purity, and true devotion to God. Revelation describes the faithful gathered before the Lamb, while the Gospel highlights the sincere offering of the widow, showing how God values the heart behind each gift.

• Faithfulness to God: The reading from Revelation shows those who have stayed true to God, standing joyfully before Him. Faithfulness is not about perfection but about a steadfast commitment to follow God.
• Purity and Dedication: The ones gathered before the Lamb are described as pure and fully committed to God. This purity reflects an undivided heart, focused on pleasing God above all else.
• True Worship: Those before the Lamb sing a new song, showing that true worship is more than words; it comes from a deep connection with God. True worship happens when our hearts and minds align with God’s will.
• Simplicity in Giving: In the Gospel, the widow’s small gift shows that God values sincere giving over wealth. It reminds us that generosity is measured by the heart, not the amount.
• God Sees the Heart: Jesus praises the widow because her gift came from love and trust, not from excess. God sees our intentions, valuing even small sacrifices when they come from faith.
• Humility and Trust: The widow’s humility and trust in God contrast with those who give from their surplus. Her example teaches us to trust God with all we have, even when it seems small.
• Joy in Serving God: Those standing before the Lamb are full of joy in His presence, showing how joy grows from serving God sincerely. This joy flows from a life focused on God, rather than earthly gain.

The readings on Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, highlight the beauty of simple, humble faith. Both the faithful in Revelation and the widow in the Gospel show us how true devotion to God brings lasting joy and peace.

The readings for Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, invite us to reflect on faithfulness, generosity, and humility before God. In Revelation, we see the faithful gathered joyfully in God’s presence, and in the Gospel, Jesus praises the widow’s small but sincere gift. Together, these readings show us the value of a heart fully dedicated to God, whether through faith, giving, or humble service.

Faithfulness: Standing Firm with God

The reading from Revelation on Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, shows a group of people gathered before God. These are people who have remained faithful, keeping God at the center of their lives. They have faced struggles and still chosen to follow God, showing the power of a steady commitment.

Faithfulness in our daily lives is about this same steady choice to put God first. It doesn’t mean we are perfect or that we never fail; it means that we keep coming back to God, choosing Him over and over. Faithfulness grows through daily prayer, acts of kindness, and choosing to follow God’s guidance in both small and big moments.

Standing firm in faith can bring us true peace. The world often pulls us in many directions, tempting us with distractions. But by staying loyal to God, like those who stand joyfully before Him in Revelation, we find real purpose and joy. This scene reminds us that when we follow God faithfully, we find a deeper peace and joy than anything the world can offer.

Generosity of the Heart

The Gospel reading for Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, shows Jesus praising a poor widow for her small gift. Though others give larger amounts, Jesus points out her gift because she gives from the little she has. Her generosity is sincere, coming from her heart, and this is what matters to God.

This lesson challenges us to consider our own generosity. Real generosity isn’t about the amount we give; it’s about giving from a place of love and trust in God. Whether we give time, money, or help, the widow’s example shows that true generosity means putting God and others first, even when we don’t have much.

God sees the intentions behind our giving. Like the widow, we are called to give sincerely, trusting that God values even our smallest gifts. This is a reminder that when we give with a loving heart, our offerings are meaningful to God, no matter their size.

Humility in Service

On Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, both the reading from Revelation and the Gospel highlight the importance of humility before God. In Revelation, the faithful stand humbly before God, singing a new song that praises Him rather than seeking their own honor. Similarly, in the Gospel, the widow’s humble gift, given quietly without seeking praise, shows how humility is valued by God.

Humility in service means recognizing that everything we have comes from God, and all we do is for His glory. This humility allows us to serve without expecting recognition or reward. Both the faithful in Revelation and the widow in the Gospel remind us that humility is about putting God’s will above our own and focusing on pleasing Him.

We can practice humility in our own lives by serving others quietly, without seeking attention or praise. God values our acts of service when we do them out of love and humility. Like the widow, we are invited to serve and give with a humble heart, trusting that God sees and values each small, sincere act.

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The messages of Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, encourage us to live with sincere faith, generous hearts, and humility. By following the examples of the faithful in Revelation and the widow in the Gospel, we can grow closer to God. May we strive each day to reflect these values in our own lives.

Prayer

Lord, help us grow in faithfulness, generosity, and humility. Teach us to serve you with a sincere heart, even in small ways. May our actions show our love for you and trust in your care. Guide us to follow your will with humble and loving hearts. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• What does faithfulness to God look like in my daily life?
• How can I give more generously from my heart, like the widow in the Gospel?
• In what ways can I show humility in my service to others?
• How can I focus more on God’s values and less on what the world values?

What date is Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Monday November 23, 2026.

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 Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Monday November 23, 2026 are:
First Reading – Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5: The Lamb’s Followers
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 24: Seeking the Lord’s Face
Gospel – Luke 21:1-4: The Widow’s Offering

What does the scene in Revelation mean for us in the first reading for Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The scene shows a group of faithful people gathered joyfully before God. This reminds us to stay faithful to God, trusting that our loyalty to Him brings true peace and joy.

Why are only certain people allowed before the Lamb in Revelation?

These people stand before the Lamb because they have followed God sincerely and kept their hearts pure. It shows us the importance of staying focused on God and trying to live with an honest heart.

Why does Jesus praise the widow’s gift in the Gospel for Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus praises the widow’s gift because she gave all she had, even though it was very little. This teaches us that God values the love and sacrifice behind our actions more than the size of our gift.

How can I apply the widow’s example to my life?

The widow trusted God enough to give what little she had, showing total trust in Him. We can apply this by being generous and trusting that God will take care of us, even when we don’t have much.

What does true worship look like according to these readings for Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

In Revelation, the people sing a new song of worship that flows from their love for God. True worship is honest and comes from our hearts, showing love and gratitude to God.

Why is it important to trust God like the widow did?

The widow gave her small coins because she trusted that God would provide for her needs. Her example encourages us to trust God with our worries and give generously, knowing He will care for us.

What does it mean to be pure before God?

Purity here means keeping our hearts focused on God, without letting distractions pull us away from Him. It’s about trying to live sincerely and making choices that honor God.

What can we learn about humility from these readings for Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The widow showed humility by giving quietly and without seeking praise. Her example shows us that humility means serving and giving without looking for recognition.

How do these readings teach us about God’s values?

Both readings show that God values faithfulness, trust, and a pure heart over outward appearances. God is pleased when we give and serve with love, even if what we have to offer is small.