Loving us to the end, Jesus makes known what to be steadfast to the end means to win the reward of salvation. 

Jesus tells his disciples that, since they suffer for his sake, their reward is great in heaven.  And in today’s gospel, he says to them that they will suffer even more for his sake.  For they will endure hate, persecutions, prisons, betrayals, harsh verdicts, on top of destruction, wars, disasters, epidemic.

Still and all, the disciples should not let those who peddle false securities fool them.  Nor must they let crises frighten them.  Rather, they are to discern the reward to which risk yields and not lose sight of the opportunity that comes with danger.

All that is human, human gain, too, runs the risk of turning into nothing.  For all that is human, a temple, of course, is fleeting.  Yet if we admit we are fleeting, we pave the way to getting a reward, nay, a grace, that of clinging just to God.  He alone is The-one-that-lasts-forever who can make steady the wobbly, solid the hollow, not die those who die.

So, the disciples rely wholly on God since they do not rely on their strength (SV.EN III:143).  He is the strength of the weak and the eye of the blind (SV.EN III:159).  And what is odd is that he makes his Church strong as he takes down all that holds it in place (SV.EN XI:367-368).

The tough times will also be, for the disciples, a chance to bear witness.  And they can count on the Teacher’s help.  For he will give them words and wisdom that no foe of theirs can resist or refute.  And not a hair of their head will be lost.

Hence, the disciples will gain strength to be like their Teacher and to follow him to the end.

Lord Jesus, grant us to be steadfast to the end and to share your reward of salvation that you have won.  And help us to grasp in an effective way that your hard path to Calvary must be ours.  For only thus can we stay true to you, with the sun of justice and healing arising for us.  Let us not be idle or nurture dreams of triumphing over others or foster longings to be great.  Nourish us so that we may have eternal life and may, in turn, nourish others.

16 November 2025
33rd Sunday in O.T. (C)
Mal 3, 19-20a; 2 Thes 3, 7-12; Lk 21, 5-19