November 15
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Year A
The Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time stands near the conclusion of the Church’s liturgical year. As the cycle draws to its close, the readings help Christians reflect on the themes of vigilance, perseverance, and the coming fulfillment of God’s promises. The Gospel readings during these final weeks often focus on Christ’s return, the final judgment, and the call to be prepared. This Sunday challenges the faithful both to trust in God’s providence and to live each day with responsibility, mindful that each action has eternal significance.
Throughout history, the Church has chosen this time of year to emphasize spiritual watchfulness. In the northern hemisphere, as daylight shortens and the natural world moves towards winter, these biblical themes evoke a sense of urgency and anticipation. Pope Francis has occasionally encouraged Catholics to view these readings not with fear, but with faith and hope, reminding us that Christ’s coming is ultimately the fulfillment of God’s love. Prayer, works of mercy, and fidelity in everyday commitments are highlighted as practical ways to live in readiness.
On this day, the Church’s liturgy invites believers to gather in gratitude for the gifts received, while renewing their commitment to live out the Gospel in anticipation of Christ’s return. The themes of judgment and hope, so central to this Sunday, encourage everyone to examine their lives in the light of God’s mercy and justice.
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The liturgical day
Mass readings
First readingPr 31, 10-13.19-20.30-31
A perfect woman, who can find her?
She is worth far more than pearls!
Her husband can trust her:
he will not be lacking in resources.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax,
and her hands work willingly.
She stretches her hand to the distaff,
her fingers grasp the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor,
she extends her hands to the needy.
Charm is deceptive and beauty fades;
only the woman who fears the Lord deserves praise.
Praise her for the fruit of her work:
and at the city gates let her works declare her praise!
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 127 (128), 1-2, 3, 4-5
Happy are those who fear the Lord
and walk in his ways!
You will eat the fruit of your labor:
Happy are you! Blessings will be yours!
Your wife will be in your house
like a fruitful vine,
and your sons around your table,
like shoots of olive trees.
This is how the man who fears the Lord
will be blessed.
May the Lord bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
Second reading1 Th 5, 1-6
As to the times and seasons of the coming of the Lord,
you do not need, brothers and sisters, that I write to you about it.
You know very well that the day of the Lord
comes like a thief in the night.
When people say:
“Peace and safety!”
it is then that suddenly disaster will fall upon them,
like labor pains upon a pregnant woman:
they will not be able to escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, as you are not in darkness,
that day will not catch you off guard like a thief.
In fact, you are all children of light, children of the day;
we do not belong to night or darkness.
So then, let us not fall asleep like the others,
but let us be vigilant and keep sober.
– The word of the Lord.
GospelMt 25, 14-30
At that time,
Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples:
“It is like a man who set out on a journey:
he called his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave a sum of five talents,
to another two talents,
to a third one talent,
to each according to their ability.
Then he left.
Right away, the one who had received five talents
went and traded with them
and earned five more.
In the same way, the one who had received two talents
earned two more.
But the one who had received only one
w ent off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money.
A long time after, the master of these servants returned
and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents came up,
presented five more talents
and said:
‘Master,
you entrusted me with five talents;
here, I have gained five more.’
His master replied:
‘Well done, good and faithful servant,
you have been faithful in small things,
I will put you in charge of many;
enter into the joy of your master.’
The one who had received two talents also came up
and said:
‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents;
here, I have gained two more.’
His master replied:
‘Well done, good and faithful servant,
you have been faithful in small things,
I will put you in charge of many;
enter into the joy of your master.’
The one who had received only one talent also came up
and said:
‘Master,
I knew that you are a hard man:
you reap where you did not sow,
you gather where you did not scatter seed.
I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.
Here it is. You have what belongs to you.’
His master replied:
‘Wicked and lazy servant,
you knew that I reap where I have not sown,
that I gather grain where I did not scatter,
Then you should have put my money in the bank;
and on my return, I would have collected it with interest.
So take the talent away from him
and give it to the one who has ten.
To the one who has, more will be given,
and he will have abundance;
but from the one who has nothing,
even what he has will be taken away.
As for this useless servant,
throw him outside, into the darkness;
there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!’”
– Let us proclaim the Word of God.
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Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org