November 13, 2022, Sunday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time-C

Malachi 3:19-20

Psalm 98

2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

Luke 21:5-19

Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble…Mal. 3:19

“See that you not be deceived…do not be terrified;” Luke 21:8, 9

Lord, the readings this time of year can be terrifying, but we hang on to hope. Your word today guides us in our response to crises in our lives. Whether it be large scale tragedies like war, hurricanes, revolts, and persecutions or small-scale trouble like personal sickness, grief, betrayal, and broken relationships we are instructed to dare to be different in our response. As your disciples we are held to a higher standard.  You ask us to be nonconformists. We died to self in the waters of Baptism. We are strengthened by the graces of Confirmation and nourished by your body and blood in the Eucharist. To say yes to you means to say no to the tides of popular culture. We respond unconventionally when we commit to fidelity in marriage, to honorable business practices, and being respectful of life from conception to natural death. We put your will first and foremost in all our decisions. Lord, give me the wisdom to make good choices, the strength to carry them out and the grace to stand firm in resisting the pressures of conformity.  Help me to dare to be different.  Amen.