Weekly Reflection - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

"Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" (Lk. 21:7)

This is the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time.  Christ prophecies regarding the end times.  The first Christians lived as though it was imminent.  Each time we pass through a catastrophe we also ask ourselves if it is happening now. The simple answer is that we don't know.  As Christians we are to be agents of change in a needy world without losing sight of the world to come.

St. Paul underlines this idea in the second reading by saying that whoever doesn't work shouldn't eat.  On another occasion, he shared that he would love to be with Christ forever but if there is still work for him to do here, that is where he belongs.  We are to pray every day as if everything depends on God and work as if everything depends on us.  Pope Francis said this week in a tweet:  [Saints do not come from a "parallel universe." They are believers rooted in their daily activities with their families, study, work; social, economic and political life.  In all these settings, they fearlessly strive to carry out God's will.]

Questions for Reflection:  

• Does my faith in God compel me to be an agent of change in this world without losing sight of the world to come?  
• Does my work begin in prayer?  
• Do I spend time in prayer but consider working for social change something for others?