Thoughts to live by: World day of the poor

It is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, observed as the World Day of the Poor.

Liturgy of the Word:

• Malachi 3:19-20

• Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9

• 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

• Luke 21:5-19

Pope Leo XIV’s message for today centers on hope. Addressed primarily to the world’s poor, it is a reminder to all of us. The poor cannot place their hope in power or possessions, for they have neither. Their hope—and ours—must be in God, “our first and only hope.” Sharing this hope with the poor demonstrates love of God and neighbor.

1. Malachi 3:19-20
“For the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch,” says the Lord of hosts (v. 19).

“But for you who fear my name, the sun of justice will arise with healings in its wings; and you will go out leaping like calves from the stall and tread down the wicked” (v. 20).

Malachi speaks to the Israelites who had returned from exile in Babylon and were rebuilding their lives in Judah. He delivers a message of warning about the coming judgment and the need for repentance.

The prophet alludes first to a messenger, understood as John the Baptist, and then to the Lord Jesus himself, the Judge and Savior at the end-times. The wicked face fire and final judgment, while “the sun of righteousness,” Jesus, will heal and save the just and God-fearing.

2. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Paul addresses the Thessalonians, who feared that the end-times were imminent and seemed to wait idly. He urges them to continue working, using his own example:

“We worked night and day in toil and drudgery, so as not to burden any of you…. We wanted to present ourselves as a model for you to imitate.”

He adds, “If anyone is unwilling to work, neither should that one eat” (vv. 9-10). The letter emphasizes personal responsibility, perseverance, and diligence even amid uncertainty.

3. Luke 21:5-19 – Signs of the End
Jesus speaks to those admiring the Temple: “The days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” When asked for the timing and signs, he warns against deception from those claiming divine authority or claiming that “the time has come” (vv. 7-8).

Wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues, and “awesome sights and mighty signs from the sky” will precede trials (vv. 9-11). Believers will face persecution, imprisonment, and betrayal by family and friends because of him (vv. 12-17). Jesus assures his followers: “Do not be terrified… I myself shall give you wisdom in speaking. Your adversaries will be powerless… your perseverance will secure your lives” (vv. 12-19).

Some signs Luke describes are yet to come, while others, such as the persecutions and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, have already occurred. The lesson is steadfast discipleship, fidelity to Christ, and willingness to endure suffering for his sake.

4. Prayer
Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with constancy the author of all that is good, through Christ our Lord. Amen.