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Contents: Volume 2 November 16, 2025
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Dennis Keller
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Thirty Third Sunday of Ordered Time November 16, 2025
The liturgy of the Word this Sunday carries with it a warning. The prophet Malachi prophesizes to the Chosen People. After the release from the Babylonian Captivity by the Persian Cyrus, they struggled to find hope and a future. They rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. They began the rebuilding of the Temple. That work united the people. The time in exile in Babylon became a study of God’s work with the Chosen People. Earlier in his writing, Malachi condemns those who withhold the wages of workers. He condemns those who oppress widows and orphans, He outs in that same category of evil doer, those who turn aside a resident alien. These persons oppressed by those in power are to be supported just as those ancestors enslaved in Egypt. Malachi presents God as judgment as a cleansing fire. It is God’s passionate desire to right what has gone wrong with the world he created.
Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians warns that Church. The prideful who talk, talk about others without lending a hand to make right what is wrong are not contributing to making right what is wrong.
It is in the gospel that Jesus explains what happens to us when we work to right what is wrong with human living. If we live the message of Jesus, we can count on suffering. In some cases, the persecution will result in our suffering death. This may seem an exaggeration. Yet, in the Middle East, in the Americas, even now there are scores of martyrs.
The current situation around the world even now can hardly be considered a Christian nation. As Malachi, Paul, and Jesus tell us, there is work to be done.
Next week, Solemnity of Christ the King is the promise of God’s Kingdom. We’re got a lot of work to do to make God’s Kingdom a reality.
Dennis Keller Dennis@PreacherExchange.com
****************************************************** Everyone cringes when they first hear or read this Sunday’s readings! It is human nature to first process the terrifying words and feelings. It takes a bit of prompting from the Holy Spirit to read/listen further, go deeper, and hear Good News somehow.
The Promptings of the Holy Spirit enable us to have a relationship with a God who is all loving, all knowing, and all powerful. The prophet Malachi says it like it will be: BUT do we, the never-been-perfect, hear that the Great Initiator will also send forth healing at the end of the age?
In our Gospel story, Jesus tells us more specific stomach-knotting details. Jesus predicts that beforehand there will be famine and earthquakes. People will be engaged in household, civic, and global type wars!! Oh, no! Perhaps these occurrences hit us a bit closer to home with some modern day similarities. Are they signs the end is coming soon? Well, it is coming, a second closer each second.
Right now, hope not. Not to be insensitive or flippant, but as I write this, I first think: tonight is opening night for our 17 year olds’ theater production after over 50 hours of after-school play practice the last 11 days. More seriously though, I pause to reflect on what it is I am doing to be among those who will be able to stand before the Lord with lowered eyes rather than all burnt up in ashes like it is already hell.
I believe that “not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives." I interpret that (in the Catholic version/translation in The Message) to mean that every detail of our bodies and souls will be in the Lord’s care. Trying to do what is in the Divine Plan is the ticket to heaven, even after disastrous times on earth.
So, thanks to modern technology, today I will check-in with the 17-year-old by text to be sure sleep hasn’t prevailed over classes in session, do some ever-present laundry, provide insight into multiple on-going counseling sessions for some loved ones, and participate in a parish planning session. That is typical of how I “keep on keeping on”, even with this reflection, trying to mitigate the figurative "famine", earthquakes" , and “wars” I am aware of, in what ways I can, in my household, civic struggles, and perhaps more far- reaching policies.
Each of us has been gifted a spot in the world. We need to spread the Good News right there, especially in the midst of fear, injustice, and tragedies. Trust in the One Who is still on the throne!
Blessings, Dr. Lanie LeBlanc OP Southern Dominican Laity
****************************************************** ****************************************************** 4. ****************************************************** ****************************************************** 5. ****************************************************** Volume 2 is for you. These reflections follow the Liturgical Calendar and appear here about mid week each week. They are written by various guest authors. If you would like to submit a reflection of your own, then click here to send an email request to post to the Webmaster. Deadline is Monday morning of each week for the upcoming Sunday.
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A service of The Order of Preachers,
The Dominicans. (form revised 10/13/2025) |
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