Thirty-Third Sunday of the year (Year A)

 Thirty-Third Sunday of the year - November 15, 2026

World Day of the Poor

Proverbs 31:10-13.19-20.30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30

(Image courtesy: AI)

There is a beautiful story about Baba Amte, the Indian social worker who dedicated his life to people suffering from leprosy. One day, he encountered a man affected by leprosy who was lying helpless in the rain. Many people would have looked away out of fear or discomfort. But Baba Amte stopped and saw in that suffering man not a disease, but a human being who deserved dignity and love. That encounter changed his life. He decided to dedicate himself to serving people who were abandoned by society. He went on to establish Anandwan, a community where people affected by leprosy could live, work and rediscover their dignity. Baba Amte did not possess extraordinary wealth or power. He had compassion, courage and a willingness to act. He used what he had to make a difference in the lives of others.

Today's readings invite us to reflect on a similar question: What are we doing with the gifts God has entrusted to us? This Sunday is also the World Day of the Poor. It reminds us that our faith cannot remain limited to prayers and religious practices. It must become visible through our concern for the poor, the forgotten and those who struggle to live with dignity.

The first reading from the Book of Proverbs presents the picture of a capable and generous woman. She is hardworking, wise and trustworthy. She uses her time and resources productively. She cares for her family, speaks with wisdom and, importantly, opens her hands to the poor and needy. Her greatness is not measured merely by what she possesses but by how she uses what she has. She understands that blessings are not meant to be kept for oneself. They become meaningful when they bring life and hope to others. This woman is a beautiful example of someone who does not bury her gifts but uses them generously.

In the Gospel, Jesus gives us the Parable of the Talents. A master entrusts different amounts of money to three servants before leaving on a journey. Two servants use what they receive and multiply it. The third servant, out of fear, buries his talent and returns it untouched. The master appreciates the first two servants for their faithfulness but condemns the third for failing to use what was entrusted to him.

The message is clear. God does not expect everyone to have the same abilities or opportunities. He expects each person to use faithfully whatever he or she has received. The important question is not how much we possess, but what we do with it. The third servant did not lose the money; he simply did nothing with it. This is a serious warning. Sometimes, we may not hurt anyone directly, but we fail to do the good that is within our power.

There are four important lessons for us today.

First, God gives each person different gifts. We should not waste our time comparing ourselves with others. Instead, we must recognise our own gifts and use them for the good of the community.

Second, our work is never complete. The first two servants were entrusted with greater responsibilities because they had been faithful. Our Christian journey calls us to keep growing in service and responsibility.

Third, doing nothing is also a failure. We cannot remain indifferent when people around us suffer. Even a small act of kindness can restore someone's hope.

Fourth, generosity enriches our lives. When we share our gifts, time and resources, we discover that giving does not make us poorer. It makes our lives richer and more meaningful.

On this World Day of the Poor, let us remember that the poor are not merely people who need our charity. They are our brothers and sisters who deserve respect, friendship and opportunities to live with dignity. We may not be able to solve every problem, but we can make a difference through what we have: a listening ear, a helping hand, a word of encouragement, our time and our resources.

Let us return to Baba Amte. When he encountered a suffering man, he could have walked away. Instead, he recognised an opportunity to serve and used his gifts to restore dignity to thousands of people. That is what the Gospel asks of us. May we never bury the gifts God has given us. May we use them to serve others, especially the poor. One day, when the Master calls us to account, may we be able to say that we used our gifts faithfully and made someone's life a little better. Then we too may hear those beautiful words: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

 

Happy Sunday 

Thirty-Second Sunday of the Year (Year A)

 Thirty-Second Sunday of the Year, November 08, 2026

Wisdom 6:12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

(Image courtesy: Google)

On July 27, 2015, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India and one of the country's most respected scientists, travelled to IIM Shillong to deliver a lecture to students. The topic was “Creating a Livable Planet Earth.” He had spent his life inspiring young people, encouraging them to dream, learn, and work for a better future. That evening, while delivering his lecture, he suddenly collapsed. He was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead. He died doing what he loved: teaching and inspiring the younger generation. His final moments remind us of something important. We do not know how much time we have, but we can decide how meaningfully we live the time given to us.

This is closely connected to today's Gospel. Jesus tells us to remain watchful because we do not know the day or the hour. The question is not whether we know when our life will end, but whether we are living in such a way that we are ready to meet God whenever He calls us.

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us that wisdom is something precious, but it is not far away from us. It is available to those who sincerely seek it. The reading says that wisdom is easily seen by those who love her and found by those who search for her. She comes to meet those who desire her. In other words, wisdom does not belong only to highly educated people or those who have great knowledge. A wise person is someone who knows what truly matters in life.

We spend much of our time running after success, money, recognition, and comfort. These things may have their place, but they cannot give us lasting peace. True wisdom helps us distinguish between what is temporary and what is eternal. It teaches us to give importance to God, relationships, goodness, and the way we live each day. A wise person does not wait until old age or a moment of crisis to begin living meaningfully. Wisdom teaches us to begin today.

The second reading, from St Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians, speaks about death and the hope of resurrection. The early Christians were worried about those who had died. Paul comforts them by reminding them that death is not the end for those who believe in Christ. Jesus died and rose again, and those who belong to Him will also share in His resurrection.

Paul does not tell them that they should never feel sad when someone dies. Rather, he reminds them not to grieve like people who have no hope. Christian faith does not remove the pain of losing someone we love, but it gives us hope beyond the grave. We believe that our lives are held in God's hands and that death does not have the final word. This reading invites us to live with confidence, knowing that our future is not simply darkness but the promise of life with Christ.

The Gospel takes this message one step further. Jesus tells the parable of ten young women who went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and carried extra oil for their lamps, while the other five were foolish and brought no extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became tired and fell asleep. At midnight, the announcement came that the bridegroom was arriving. The wise women had enough oil to keep their lamps burning, but the foolish ones were unprepared.

The important point is that all ten were waiting for the bridegroom, but only five were properly prepared. All had lamps, but not all had enough oil. Jesus is teaching us that it is not enough to appear religious or simply say that we believe in God. We must prepare our hearts through prayer, love, forgiveness, faithfulness, and good actions. The oil represents the inner life of faith that we must build day by day. Nobody can live our relationship with God for us. We cannot borrow another person's faith at the last moment.

There are three important messages for us today. First, seek true wisdom. Do not spend your entire life chasing things that cannot last. Give priority to God, meaningful relationships, and goodness. Second, live with hope. Death is not the end for those who believe in Christ. Even in sorrow, hold on to the promise of resurrection. Third, remain prepared every day. Do not postpone prayer, forgiveness, reconciliation, or acts of kindness. The best preparation for meeting God is to live faithfully today.

Let us also learn from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He did not know that his final lecture would be his last. Yet he spent that day doing what had given meaning to his life: sharing knowledge and inspiring young people. His life reminds us that we cannot control how much time we have, but we can choose how we use it.

Jesus asks us to keep the lamps of our lives burning. Let our lamps be filled with the oil of faith, love, kindness, and hope. Let us not wait for tomorrow to become better people. Let us not wait for a crisis to return to God or for someone's death to remind us of the value of life.

We do not know the day or the hour, but we know what we must do today. Let us live each day with wisdom, serve with love, and remain ready with faith. Then, whenever the Bridegroom comes, may He find our lamps burning brightly.

Happy Sunday