Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time

November 16, 2025

Luke 21: 5-19

Chapter 21 of Luke’s gospel begins with five verses not included in today’s gospel reading. These verses, also, take place in the temple, and are an important element to set the scene for the gospel we have just heard. They give the account of the poor widow’s contribution to the temple treasury. Jesus observes that the widow gives much more from her poverty than the wealthy give from their abundance, their surplus. Jesus notes, that “she from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

With this backdrop, Jesus predicts the end of the world and the destruction of the temple with its beautiful stones and votive offerings. When questioned about when the end will happen and what signs will accompany it, Jesus cautions about false information that will be given to mislead, and advises his listeners to be calm, even though there will be wars, “earthquakes, famines, and plagues...and awesome sights and mighty signs” in the sky. He even warns those around him that they will be persecuted and “led before kings and governors because of my name,’ and even “hated all.” With all this, Jesus says, “not a hair on your head will be destroyed.” Destruction of the body is not our concern; it will be raised to new life. But that we remain in quiet perseverance is our concern.

That the widow gave from all she had to live on is true abandonment to God. This is a small example of the fact that destruction of the body is not our concern; it will be raised to new life. But that we remain in quiet perseverance is our concern, just as the widow went quietly back to her complete trust in God. This reminds me of a happening in Russia in Russia I read about before the breakup of the Soviet Union. 

Christians of all denominations were routinely persecuted for their Faith by the Communist regime. One small group of believers used to meet in a family home every Sunday. They would arrive at different times, to avoid suspicion. On one particular Sunday they were all safely inside the building, with curtains drawn and doors locked. They had been singing and praying for a while when the door burst open and two armed soldiers crashed in. One shouted, “Everybody up against the wall. If you wish to renounce your faith in Jesus Christ, you can leave now and no harm will come to you.” Two people left right away, then a third and fourth straggled out. “This is your last chance!” the soldier warned. “Either turn your back on this Jesus of yours or stay and suffer the consequences!” Two more slipped outside, crying and ashamed. No one else moved. Parents with small children trembling beside them looked down reassuringly. They fully expected to be gunned down on the spot, or imprisoned. After a few moments of silence, the soldiers closed the door. One of them said, “Keep your hands up – but this time in praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, brothers and sisters. We, too, are Christians. We were sent to another house Church like this several weeks ago, and we became believers.” In times of trouble our Faith is tested, and we have a chance to do for Christ what he did for us: love him to the end. 

As Jesus calls for perseverance in the face of trials, perhaps Jesus is thinking of the widow who, in her poverty, must persevere, trusting the goodness of God day in and day out. Or perhaps, of the Russian parents giving c0mforting assurance gave to their children in the story and quiet witness to reaffirm the new-found faith of those soldiers.

We ask ourselves today: When has my perseverance been tested? How has God’s word helped me? Do I make his Word flesh for others to take heart through quietly persevering? Do I give from my want, my livelihood, or from my surplus?

Fr. John Tran