Walking with Jesus: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, November 15, 2026

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, Matthew 25:14-30


Centuries before Jesus’ birth, Jews hoped for a universal redemption at the “end of days.” As a promised people, they realized they had been called by God to be His people and share that God had blessed them and charged them to help others. Such hope called into question the world they lived in with its violence, hatred, wars of convenience and people not living God’s commandments and love. Empires were inadequate and in need of transformation. At the time of Jesus this had reached a fever pitch, mostly because they lived under Roman occupation. They faced an uncertain future and even lived in fear of complete destruction. I’m sure that’s why the apostles were hiding in the Upper Room, waiting and hoping that Jesus’ promises of God’s love and care were true. Their hopes and dreams of His rising from the dead, and His eventual return as judge of the living and the dead, must have been very present and very real. Paul emphasized the need to “stay alert and sober” [1 Thessalonians 5:6], not living spiritually asleep in “darkness” but living what they were: “as children of the light and children of the day” [1 Thessalonians 5:5].

It’s important for us to keep in mind that Matthew wrote this 50 years after Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Jerusalem and its temple had been destroyed by the Roman army and the “Jewish state” had come to an end. So these early Christians must have felt compelled to use their time on earth wisely, identifying who they were and investing themselves and what they had into serving the kingdom of God. Today, many centuries past Jesus’ death, life may have changed but there are still killings and wars. Many live opposed to Jesus’ law of love, yet you and I are called to be witnesses to His teaching and God’s love. How am I doing, and what do I need from God to continue?

The Wisdom literature in Proverbs today praises the wise and showcases an exultant human personified as a woman. Living a life that honors God (fear of the Lord) is more valuable than wealth (pearls) or fame or power. The author continues by showing a woman who invests herself daily in bringing good to others in practical and concrete ways — a woman who is to be rewarded for her labors and praised by all. If she distributes alms and offers her care, she has a role in public life as well as in the privacy of the household. Do I avoid these lessons of life? Do I not regard citizens of the world as my responsibility? Do I feel that if I stop to help or give charity envelopes, I’m doing my duty? Do I feel that “they have chosen to be poor,” or do I believe that our society and government have failed to realize that they are victims of anger, hatred and degradation that I’ve permitted?

Interestingly Paul warns that, like false prophets of old, some people will interpret the signs of the times incorrectly and offer erroneous predictions to the people. They will proclaim “peace” when disaster is on the horizon and vice versa. The metaphor characterizes the suddenness of the suffering that will come, and it also calls our attention to the fruit of that suffering. Paul’s message is that we must not be found sleeping. We always must be on the watch so that when the day of the Lord comes, we’re not found unprepared. We don’t just apply this to ourselves — “Oh, when I get older I’ll prepare for death” — life, health, situations happen. Things change. Am I a continual faith person, realizing the commandments and love of others — especially those in need, whom I see or hear about, or who seem to be placed in my life “on purpose by God?” God is!

Matthew’s gospel emphasizes that judgment is swift and exacting. If we are wise and industriously employ the Lord’s talents that are entrusted to us, we will be richly rewarded. If not we will be punished. The foolish man in the gospel knows the householder is exacting. He has some idea of what to expect. He makes his choice and has to accept the consequences of that choice. One of the two crucified with Jesus knows he is guilty of the death penalty and asks for mercy, and Jesus says, “This day you will be with me in heaven.” God is always with us. Am I preparing for heaven? Or have I decided that that it’s not true, or I don’t believe in it, or I will have time later? The readings tell us God is in the now. My time — our time — is always in the now!

So I reflect on:

• It is generally understood that the talents in the gospel parable denote our skills and that we must use these God-given skills to make more disciples. How does that change the message and focus of this parable?

Sacred Space 2026 states:

“Jesus has already announced to His followers what will happen when He gets to Jerusalem, and expectation and excitement have been high on the agenda. Those who want to enter the kingdom must be ready to venture — risk-taking is at the core of the talents narrative and is the symbolic meaning contained within. The fearful servant who returns his unused talent or coins to the master is similar to the potential follower of Christ who is unwilling to risk very much for the sake of the kingdom.

“What am I like at risking myself, Lord, or do I prefer to leave things as they are? What might the Master say to me when I’m presenting my case? I certainly don’t wish to find that I have unused talents still hanging around when He calls me to account.”