Homily: November 16, 2025, Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (End Times )

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 “All that you see here the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

We have reached the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the last Sunday before we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, which concludes the liturgical year. Naturally, the readings at this time of year turn our attention toward the end times, to the final things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. 

When Jesus foretold the destruction of the Temple, His listeners were shocked. For the Jewish people, the Temple in Jerusalem was the anchor of their faith and center of their life. It was the dwelling place of God, the heart of their worship. And the whole community had poured in their possessions to build this temple. So to be told that the temple would be destroyed must have felt terrible. How could life continue without the Temple?

And yet, what Jesus foretold did happen, but only forty years later. The Roman army destroyed the Temple in 70 A.D. What had once been the pride and glory of the people was reduced to rubble. 

Jesus uses this shocking prophetic warning to remind us that even the most impressive things of this world will all pass away. What will remain is our faith, our relationship with God and our relationship with others.

Then Jesus goes on to describe the signs of the end times: persecution, suffering, hatred, and betrayal. Following Christ is not always comfortable. For many Christians throughout history, it meant imprisonment, exile, and even death. But Jesus tells us, “By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.”

Here in our country, we are not persecuted for our faith in the same way as the early believers. We have freedom to worship, to gather, and to live our Catholic faith openly.

But our faith faces another kind of danger, the danger of silence. In a world where truth is often blurred and moral values constantly redefined, it becomes convenient to remain quiet, to avoid uncomfortable conversations, and just tag along.

G.K. Chesterton once said, “We do not want a Church that will move with the world. We want a Church that will move the world.”

So, by virtue of our discipleship after Jesus, we cannot keep silent, we must voice out the church’s teachings and move the world to embrace Jesus.

Each of us is called to live our faith courageously, unashamedly but with conviction and love. We are that Church. St. Catherine of Sienna said “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire”.

So who does God want us to be?

His Son’s witnesses. To tell the world we have seen the Lord’s works, we have experienced the Lord’s love, we have received salvation. God wants to save everyone. And everyone needs to know God, everyone needs to be saved. 

At the end of times, no stone of this world’s material glamour will be left, all will be gone. And what will remain?

The splendid radiant glory of God, which will shine on us and reveal the truth of our lives. Will we be found faithful in witnessing or guilty of betrayal through silence?

As this liturgical year draws to a close, let us remember what truly matters: love God with all our mind, heart and strength, and to love neighbor as yourself. May we be graced.

Amen.


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