Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59: Judas and his brothers rededicated the purified sanctuary with joyful sacrifices, establishing an annual eight-day celebration from the twenty-fifth of Chislev.
• Responsorial Psalm – 1 Chronicles 29: O LORD, God of Israel, forever blessed, all grandeur, power, and glory are yours; you reign supreme, bestowing riches and honor.
• Gospel – Luke 19:45-48: Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem and drives out the merchants, accusing them of turning it into a den of robbers. He teaches daily in the temple. The religious leaders want to kill him, but they can’t find a way because the people are very attentive to his words.

Lectionary Reference: 501

Upcoming dates: November 21, 2025, November 19, 2027, November 23, 2029, November 21, 2031, November 18, 2033

Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.“

Luke 19:45=46

On Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings focus on God’s desire for true worship and faithfulness. They emphasize both inner conversion and outward commitment to God’s ways.

• Restoration of Worship: The readings show the effort to restore the temple and its rituals. It reflects the importance of right worship and reverence for God’s house.
• Zeal for God’s House: Jesus clears the temple of merchants. This shows His deep concern for the holiness of the place of worship.
• Purity in Worship: The Maccabees rededicate the temple to God. This reminds us to keep our faith pure and free from corruption.
• Faith in Action: Judas Maccabeus and his brothers act boldly to protect their faith. This emphasizes the need to act courageously in defense of what is right.
• Repentance and Renewal: Jesus calls for repentance by driving out wrongdoing. It is a call to purify both the temple and the soul.
• Steadfastness in Faith: The Maccabees remain strong despite challenges. It shows the need for perseverance in the face of difficulties.

These themes call us to examine our faith and our commitment to God. Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invites us to focus on true worship and faithful living.

On Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings focus on the themes of rededication, repentance, and active faith. Both the first reading and the Gospel highlight the importance of protecting what is sacred and keeping our hearts and worship spaces centered on God. These reflections explore how we can live out these themes in our daily lives.

Keeping Worship Spaces Holy

On Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the first reading shows the Maccabees rededicating the temple to God. They clean and repair it to make it a proper place for prayer. This act of restoration shows the importance of keeping worship spaces sacred and free from distractions.

Just as the Maccabees purified the temple, we should honor our own churches as places set apart for God. Our worship spaces should be clean and free from worldly influences. When we enter a church, we should treat it with reverence, remembering that it is a place for prayer, not a place for business or casual behavior.

This reflection also applies to our own lives. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we should keep our hearts focused on God. We must be mindful of what we allow to take root in our hearts, choosing what leads us closer to God.

Repentance and Cleansing of the Heart

The Gospel reading for Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 describes Jesus clearing the temple. He removes the merchants, calling people to respect God’s house. This act is not only about cleaning the physical space but also about the need for inner cleansing.

Just as Jesus purifies the temple, we are called to cleanse our hearts. This means looking at our lives honestly and removing anything that stands in the way of our relationship with God. Repentance is necessary, whether it is anger, greed, selfishness, or other sins.

This reading reminds us to protect the sacredness of our faith. We must regularly examine our hearts and repent of our sins. In doing so, we create space for God to dwell more fully in us.

Faith That Takes Action

On Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, both readings show faith in action. The Maccabees actively restore the temple, and Jesus drives out wrongdoing. Both events involve taking bold steps to honor God and protect what is holy.

This theme calls us to live out our faith courageously. The Maccabees and Jesus did not stay silent in the face of disrespect toward God’s house. We, too, should be willing to stand up for our faith when it is challenged or disrespected, even if it requires effort and sacrifice.

Faith in action means more than words; it means making choices that reflect our love for God. It can be small acts like helping someone in need or big decisions that involve sacrifice. God asks us to be active participants in our faith, responding with courage and commitment.

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The readings for Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to keep our hearts and worship spaces holy, to repent of wrongdoing, and to live our faith boldly. As we consider these reflections, may we be inspired to draw closer to God and make choices that honor Him in all we do.

Prayer

Lord, help us to keep our hearts and places of worship pure. Guide us in repentance and give us courage to live out our faith. May our words and actions honor You each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• What can I do to make my worship more focused and meaningful?
• What habits or distractions in my life need to be removed to keep my heart centered on God?
• How can I actively protect and honor what is sacred in my faith?
• In what ways can I show more courage in living out my faith, even when it is difficult?

Word on Fire: You Are a Temple

In his reflection for Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron explains that Jesus cleanses the temple to restore it as a place of prayer, fulfilling messianic expectations. He then connects this with St. Paul’s teaching that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Bishop Barron challenges us to see our own lives as places where God should be honored, with every part dedicated to Him.

USCCB Reflection: Becoming a House of Prayer

In the USCCB video reflection for Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Paula Triglo-Galan explains the rededication of the Jerusalem temple by Judas Maccabeus. This event leads to the Feast of Hanukkah, restoring the temple as a house of prayer. Jesus also cleanses the temple in the Gospel, symbolizing a shift from the old to the new covenant. We are encouraged to clear away what is old or sinful in our hearts and homes, making space for God’s presence.

What date is Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Friday November 21, 2025.

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 even numbered years see Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

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

The Mass reading for Friday November 21, 2025 are:
First Reading – 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59: Altar Rededication Celebrated
Responsorial Psalm – 1 Chronicles 29: Praise to the Eternal Lord
Gospel – Luke 19:45-48: Temple Cleansing

What is the main message of the first reading for Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The main message is about restoring true worship of God. It shows the people’s dedication to renewing their faith and returning to God.

Why did the Maccabees focus so much on rededicating the temple?

They wanted to restore proper worship and honor to God’s house. It teaches us that our places of worship should be treated with care and respect.

What does the rededication of the temple in the first reading mean for us today?

It means that we, too, need to renew our commitment to God. It invites us to examine our faith and remove anything that keeps us from truly worshiping God.

What lesson can we learn from Jesus driving out the merchants in the Gospel for Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus wanted the temple to be a place of prayer, not a marketplace. It teaches us to keep our focus on God and to keep distractions out of our spiritual lives.

How does the Gospel relate to our daily lives?

It reminds us to protect the sacredness of our faith. We should examine our hearts and remove anything that hinders our relationship with God.

Why did Jesus act so strongly in the Gospel?

He acted strongly to show the importance of honoring God’s house. It shows that our love for God should inspire us to defend what is sacred.

How can we apply the readings for Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 in our prayer life?

We can focus on removing distractions and keeping our hearts centered on God. We should seek to make our prayer time a true meeting with God, not just a routine.

What is the significance of faith in action?

Faith in action shows commitment to God, as seen in the courage of the Maccabees and Jesus’ actions in the temple. It encourages us to actively live out our faith each day.

What does Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach about spiritual renewal?

It teaches that renewal involves both inner change and outward actions. It calls us to continually renew our faith and stay focused on God.

What is one way to put the teachings of Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 into practice?

We can make a special effort to be more attentive in prayer and in church. It is a way to keep our focus on God and honor Him with our full attention.