Homily: November 17, 2025, Monday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time (Faith)

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 “But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean.”

These were people of true obedience to the faith. They were truly committed and disciplined to follow the teachings.

The events we hear about in today’s first reading from the Book of Maccabees took place in the second century before Christ. It was the time when the notorious King Antiochus Epiphanes ruled over Israel. He was anti-Jews. Many among the Israelites began to follow pagan practices and false religion promoted by the king.

This period in history is often called the “silent years” of salvation history, a good 400 years after prophet Malachi, before John the Baptist appeared. For four centuries, there were no prophets, no new divine revelations, and no visible signs from God. It seemed like God was silent.

That is why the commitment of those who refused to eat unclean food was extraordinary. There was no prophet to remind or encourage them to keep God’s law, no miracles to sustain their faith, and no visible or tangible signs to show that God was present. Yes, they maintained their faith when many had given up.

We live in a time when signs of God’s presence are evident. There are Marian apparitions, Eucharistic miracles, and countless saints and holy people whose lives consistently and powerfully witness God’s presence. But is our faith as firm, unwavering and steadfast as those fervent faithful Israelites of the silent years? 

Many saints have also experienced periods of spiritual darkness and silence from God. St. John of the Cross spoke of the dark night of the soul. Mother Teresa experienced years of interior dryness. And today we remember St. Elizabeth of Hungary, who also endured deep uncertainty.

At the age of 20, she became a widow and was later expelled from her home by her husband’s family because of her generosity to the poor. Homeless, betrayed, having lost everything and seemingly not receiving any answers to her prayers, she still trusted in God’s goodness. She lived only to the age of 24, but God transformed all her suffering into holiness and granted miracles through her intercessions.

Like St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and those faithful Israelites of old, let us resolve in our hearts to be determined and remain steadfast in our faith, to keep trusting even when God seemed silent and distant. When God is silent, it does not mean He is absent. He may hide, but He will never leave. This is when we should pray harder, so that our faith can grow stronger.

Amen.


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