About the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
November 17, 2024
Daily Mass Readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
- First Reading – Daniel 12:1-3: “At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time.”
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 16: “You are my inheritance, O Lord!”
- Second Reading – Hebrews 10:11-14, 18: “But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.”
- Gospel – Mark 13:24-32: “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.”
Themes for the Gospel
- Trials and tribulations
- Fighting evil forces
- Angels and archangels
- Readiness for the end of our days
- The temporary nature of all that surrounds us
- The everlasting nature of God
See the bottom of this post for extended ideas related to these themes.
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Resources for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Armor of God – Lesson Plan on Spiritual Warfare
When we are frightened by evil and suffering, we need to remember that God has provide us with an arsenal of weapons for spiritual battle.
Prayer to the God of Goodness
This prayer is based on Psalm 16, the responsorial psalm for this Sunday. It praises God for his care and protection.
Extreme War Card Game
This twist on the classic war card game doesn’t go on forever and ever. Use it to add some energy to your youth group meeting.
St. Michael the Archangel Prayer
St. Michael is a warrior for God. He is like a spiritual superhero who fights evil. When we feel threatened by darkness in our lives or are afraid, we can ask for his intercession and defense. We can also ask our guardian angel for protection.
Will the second coming of Christ be a bad surprise or a good surprise? See what Fr. Mike Schmitz says.
Social Media Graphic
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Readings and Reflection for Children
This video gives the readings for this Sunday and then explains them on a child’s level. Are we living like we belong to this world or to God’s king
Homilies and Reflections
What is the Apocalypse?
Bishop Robert Barron reminds us that death doesn’t get to have the last word. Jesus Christ will lead us to a better place than our earthly existence.
Daniel and the New Kingdom
This reflection, also from Bishop Robert Barron, focuses on the first reading.
Consistent Prayer Strengthens Us in Times of Tribulation
Pope Francis tells us we must pray regularly in order to allow Jesus to transform us. Only then will we be ready in times of tribulation.
The End of the World
When we enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ we don’t need to spend our energy worrying about what is next.
Hope in Tribulation
Scott Hahn reflects on how we should not fear the end of times, but be hopeful. God will gather us to himself.
Other Themes and Questions
This world is temporary. It is a way point during our journey to God. Even the liturgical year draws to an end this weekend. Life is a cycle of endings and beginnings. But God is constant and eternal.
Jesus reminds us that this world will end. He also knows that his life on earth is coming to an end. He has already entered Jerusalem and knows there are plots against him. Evil is active in the world. But he remains firm in his mission to gather in God’s children. He will save them from destruction.
The Christian community was probably living through much turmoil at the time this gospel was written. These words were meant to reassure them that they were not forgotten. But it is not for men to know God’s plans. We must trust in God’s mercy. There will be signs that God is at work, but the exact details are not for us to know.
Some signs are mighty and awesome. Others are as quiet as the sprouting of leaves on a tree. We must be open and alert to the many ways the Spirit shows us the presences of God. This will also keep us open to what we are called to do to help build the Kingdom of God.
Some questions raised by the readings:
- Am I alert to how Christ is working in my life?
- What are some ways I see him working in powerful ways?
- What are some quiet ways I sense him at work?
- Am I more concerned with the temporary things of this world or the building of the Kingdom of God?
- When trials come, do I turn to the Lord for comfort or do I put my trust in my own plans?
Today, before the mystery of death that has been redeemed, let us ask for the grace of perceiving adversity with new eyes. Let us ask for the strength to know how to live in humble and confident silence that awaits the Lord’s salvation, without complaining and without grumbling.
Pope Francis