World Day of the Poor

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Sunday, 16 November 2025 : Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, World Day of the Poor (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this Sunday we mark the occasion of the Thirty-Third and therefore the second last Sunday in our current Ordinary Time and also liturgical year. Within two weeks from now, we will enter into the season of Advent in preparation for Christmas and therefore also the beginning of the new liturgical year. Therefore, that is why the Scripture readings and the overall tone shift into one of preparing ourselves for the inevitable end of times, the time of the reckoning of our actions and lives, which we all ought to be well-prepared for, and which the Lord has amply and repeatedly reminded us of, in each and every opportunities that we have been given. 

In our first reading this Sunday, taken from the Book of the prophet Malachi, we heard of the words of the Lord as presented through Malachi, who was in fact the last in the long line of prophets that had been sent to the people of God in Israel and Judah. The prophet Malachi spoke briefly of the coming of the time of reckoning where those who were wicked and who committed evils will be destroyed and crushed, while those who are faithful and just will be strengthened and blessed by God. God knows each and every hearts and minds, and He will not stay silent against any kind of injustice. He will be with all of His people, whom He will always care for and protect, provide and strengthen amidst the challenging times.

God is a loving and just God Who does not overlook injustice and evil, and He is also a loving and caring God Who knows righteousness and justice in those who follow Him and His path. And this is why in our daily actions, in our manner of living our lives, in our every interactions and in our every moments spent journeying in every aspects in life, we are reminded that we should always continue to do what is truly right and just in accordance to what the Lord has taught and shown us all. We must not think that we can act in impunity, in causing hurt and harm to others especially in the pursuit of our own selfish needs, ambitions and desires. God knows all things, and we will have to account for everything, both good and bad, in the end.

Then, from our Gospel passage this Sunday, taken from the Gospel according to St. Luke the Evangelist, we heard about the moment when the Lord Jesus predicted the downfall and destruction of the Temple and House of God in Jerusalem before the disciples and others assembled to listen to Him. That Second Temple of Jerusalem, which was also known as Herod’s Temple due to the massive enlargement and expansion done by King Herod the Great was indeed a magnificent Temple and House of worship dedicated to God, but what the Lord Himself encountered was a lot of hypocrisy and corruption, in how many of the religious and intellectual elites, the chief priests and the Pharisees, had superficial faith in God and were not truly faithful in Him.

And worse still that they allowed corruptions and corrupt practices to creep into the Holy House of God’s Presence, by them allowing the merchants, money changers and others to turn the courtyard of the Lord’s House to places where injustices took place, where they manipulated and profited over those who had come to them to get the necessary goods for the worship of the Divine. That was why the Lord told them all that eventually none of the grand edifice would remain, a premonition of the disaster that would come true in a few decades afterwards, when the Romans destroyed the very Temple that Jesus spoke about as they quelled and crushed the Jewish rebellion that happened then.

Through what the Lord has shared in our Gospel passage this Sunday, we are therefore reminded yet again that nothing in this world is permanent, even glorious edifices and worldly fame and power. In the end, what remains is our faith, trust and hope in the Lord, and we are all indeed expected to carry out our lives in good faith and obedience to God and His will. We should keep in mind of the Lord’s constant reminders, Who has always reminded us to live our lives worthily each day, in caring for those whom He has entrusted to us to love, our most beloved ones, family members and others, and also those whom He has sent to our way, so that our faith can truly shine and that we will be ready when He comes again and we have to account for our lives.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, how do we then live our lives faithfully just as the Lord Himself has taught us to do? How do we then be righteous and just in the eyes of the Lord and men alike so that we will be worthy of His everlasting inheritance? This is where what we also commemorate today this Sunday should help us in our path and journey as Christians and disciples of the Lord. Our late Pope Francis promulgated that the Sunday before the Solemnity of Christ the King, that is this Sunday, be known as the World Day of the Poor. We are reminded this Sunday therefore of the presence of those who are poor in our midst, and it is our Christian calling and obligation for all of us to reach out to the poor and show them love, care and attention.

But we must also realise that poverty is not just material poverty, but can even be spiritual and mental poverty. For there are a lot of people in our midst, although have nothing lacking in terms of material goods and possessions, but they are facing lots of struggles and difficulties in their spiritual journey and in their mental state and relationships, with God or with one another. There are many people out there today who are facing challenges and difficulties in their lives, facing struggles of loneliness, mental health issues and problems, as I am sure we have heard being quite common these days. Many are facing lots of struggles daily not just in earning their livelihood but also in enduring challenges not just physically but also mentally.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore let us all continue to help one another especially those who are around us and those whom we encounter daily in life so that we may indeed be the ones who always show love and compassion to everyone, especially to the poor around us, and not just those who are poor materially but also poor spiritually and mentally, all those whom the Lord had put in our paths and journeys to care for. Let us all make good use of whatever blessings and opportunities that God had provided to each and every one of us, so that in all the things that we say and do, we will continue to glorify Him by our actions and deeds. Amen.

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Sunday, 16 November 2025 : Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, World Day of the Poor (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Luke 21 : 5-19

At that time, while some people were talking about the Temple, remarking that it was adorned with fine stonework and rich gifts, Jesus said to them, “The days will come when there shall not be left one stone upon another of all that you now admire; all will be torn down.”

And they asked Him, “Master, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” Jesus then said, “Take care not to be deceived, for many will come claiming My title and saying, ‘I am He, the Messiah; the time is at hand!’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and troubled times, do not be frightened; for all these things must happen first, even though the end is not so soon.”

And Jesus said, “Nations will fight each other and kingdom will oppose kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and plagues; in many places strange and terrifying signs from heaven will be seen. Before all these things happen, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you; you will be delivered to the synagogues and put in prison, and for my sake you will be brought before kings and governors. This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”

“So keep this in mind : do not worry in advance about what to say, for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. But even though, because of My Name, you will be hated by everyone, not a hair of your head will perish. By your patient endurance you will save your souls.”

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Sunday, 16 November 2025 : Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, World Day of the Poor (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

2 Thessalonians 3 : 7-12

You know how you ought to follow our example : we worked while we were with you. Day and night we laboured and toiled so as not to be a burden to any of you. We had the right to act otherwise, but we wanted to give you an example.

Besides, while we were with you, we said clearly : If anyone is not willing to work, neither should that one eat. However we heard that some among you live in idleness – busybodies, doing no work. In the Name of Christ Jesus our Lord we command these people to work and earn their own living.

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Sunday, 16 November 2025 : Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, World Day of the Poor (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Psalm 97 : 5-6, 7-8, 9

With melody of the lyre and with music of the harp. With trumpet blast and sound of the horn, rejoice before the King, the Lord!

Let the sea resound and everything in it, the world and all its peoples. Let rivers clap their hands, hills and mountains sing with joy.

Before the Lord, for He comes to rule the earth. He will judge the world with justice and the peoples with fairness.

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Sunday, 16 November 2025 : Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, World Day of the Poor (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Malachi 3 : 19-20a

The day already comes, flaming as a furnace. On that day all the proud and evildoers will be burnt like straw in the fire. They will be left without branches or roots. On the other hand the sun of justice will shine upon you who respect My Name and bring health in its rays.

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Sunday, 17 November 2024 : Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, World Day of the Poor (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this Sunday we heard from the passages of the Sacred Scriptures about the coming of the end of times which we all should be well prepared for in our journey of faith and life as Christians, as we are all reminded that the Lord is sure to come again just as He Himself said that He will, and at that time, all of us shall have to give an account of everything that we have done, as well as whatever it is that we have not yet done, or failed to do in whatever opportunities and chances that the Lord has provided to us. We must always remember that as Christians we have to embody our faith in God and follow Him wholeheartedly through our every actions and deeds, in our every interactions and relationship with one another.

In our first reading this Sunday, we heard from the Book of the prophet Daniel the prophecy of the coming of the end times which was one of the apocalyptic prophecies mentioned by Daniel, predicting the time of struggle and strife for God’s holy people, and how despite all the challenges and trials they will have to face, God will lead them all to victory, and the figure of the great Archangel, St. Michael, the leader and prince of the Heavenly Host features prominently in this vision, being echoed in the later Revelations according to St. John the Apostle. It is a reminder that the end of times and the time of reckoning and the Last Judgment is something that is real and certainly will come for us, although none of us will know when exactly this will happen for sure, as only the Lord Himself knows the time and occasion of His coming.

But we must always have faith in Him and have trust and complete faith in His compassion and love for each and every one of us, much as He has shown it to us through His beloved Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, through Whom God has brought His salvation and redemption, making His love manifested and real to us, tangible and approachable to us, that has been the focus of our second reading this Sunday from the Epistle to the Hebrews. The author of this Epistle spoke at length about the role that Christ our Lord, as the Son of God and Son of Man both, had in becoming the one true Eternal High Priest for all of us mankind, offering on our behalf the perfect and most worthy offering for the atonement of all of our sins, and to redeem us into eternal life.

In our Gospel passage, taken from the Gospel according to St. Mark we heard of the Lord Himself telling the disciples of the sign of times and everything that will happen for sure at the time of the Lord’s own knowing. He told them there will be signs accompanying His coming, but no one can surely know of the exact time that He will come. The Lord then highlighted to them of the lesson from the fig tree, which bears fruit at the appropriate time and with signs accompanying them. Therefore if the Lord Himself has already affirmed the fact and has repeatedly reminded His disciples of the coming of this time of judgment and reckoning then we have to keep in mind our way of life and faith in this world, so that we will not be found unworthy at the appropriate time.

Each and every one of us as Christians have received from God and through His Church the revelation of God’s truth, His Good News and of everything that will happen, as contained within the Scriptures and as the Lord has revealed to His Church through the Holy Spirit, bestowed upon the Apostles and through them to all of us. And because of that, it is important that we should be ever ready to welcome the Lord by doing our very best in every opportunities and moments, to be exemplary in all the things that we say and do so that we may be growing ever stronger in our faith and commitment to God, and be the shining examples and the worthy beacons of God’s light and truth in our world today, bearing His love and Good News to all the people whom we encounter daily in our lives.

This Sunday, being the last Sunday before the Solemnity of Jesus Christ the King, the Church also celebrates the World Day of the Poor, which was instituted by our current Pope, Pope Francis who wanted us all to remember the poor around us, those who need our care and compassionate love as we must realise that there are many around us who are struggling to make ends meet, and there are many of those all around the world who are suffering various ailments and troubles, from the effects of poverty and from injustice and oppression, those who have been marginalised and ostracised because of their background and origins, and all those who have no one to love and care for them. Each and every one of us are challenged today therefore to be the ones to bear the love of God to them all, and to truly embody our faith in God by our actions, especially our help and care to the poor and those less fortunate around us.

That is why we have to be ever active and be aware of our calling in life, our mission and commitment which the Lord has entrusted to all of us, the commission which God has given us to do in our respective lives and capacities, in the many opportunities and chances He has provided to us. We have been given the freedom to choose our course of action and path in life, and hence, as we have discussed about the end of times and the coming reckoning of our lives and worthiness, which will surely come at the end of time, let us all therefore remind one another and be ever more committed to live our lives in a most Christian manner, following the inspiration and example from the Lord Himself, Who has loved us all so much that as the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews mentioned that He has given Himself to be the perfect sacrifice for the atonement of our sins.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, having been reminded of the coming of the Lord and the moment of the reckoning of our lives, let us all therefore renew our commitment to follow the Lord ever more faithfully from now on. Let our every efforts and endeavours, our words, actions and deeds from now on continue to bring glory to God and proclaim His goodness before the people whom we meet and encounter in life. Let us all do our part to contribute to the good works and efforts of the Church, and to follow the Lord in all the things He has entrusted to us to do. May the Lord continue to bless each and every one of us, and may He empower and encourage us all to remain ever more committed and faithful to Him, particularly in our show of love and care for those around us who are in need and suffering from poverty and hardships in life. Amen.

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Sunday, 17 November 2024 : Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, World Day of the Poor (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Mark 13 : 24-32

At that time, Jesus was speaking to His disciples, “Later on in those days, after that disastrous time, the sun will grow dark, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall out of the sky, and the whole universe will be shaken. Then people will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And He will send the Angels to gather His chosen people from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.”

“Learn a lesson from the fig tree : as soon as its branches become tender and it begins to sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the time is near, even at the door. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all this has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

“But, regarding that day and that hour, no one knows when it will come, not even the Angels, not even the Son, but only the Father.”

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Sunday, 17 November 2024 : Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, World Day of the Poor (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Hebrews 10 : 11-14, 18

So, whereas every priest stands, daily, by the Altar, offering, repeatedly, the same sacrifices, that can never take away sins, Christ has offered, for all times, a single sacrifice for sins, and has taken His seat at the right hand of God, waiting, until God puts His enemies as a footstool under His feet.

By a single sacrifice He has brought those who are sanctified to what is perfect forever. So, if sins are forgiven, there is no longer need of any sacrifice for sin.

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Sunday, 17 November 2024 : Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, World Day of the Poor (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Psalm 15 : 5 and 8, 9-10, 11

O Lord, my inheritance and my cup, my chosen portion – hold secure my lot.

I keep the Lord always before me; for with Him at my right hand, I will never be shaken.

My heart, therefore, exults, my soul rejoices; my body too will rest assured.

For You will not abandon my soul to the grave, nor will You suffer Your Holy One to see decay in the land of the dead.

You will show me the path of life, in Your presence the fullness of joy, at Your right hand happiness forever.

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Sunday, 17 November 2024 : Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, World Day of the Poor (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Daniel 12 : 1-3

At that time, Michael will rise, the Great Commander who defends your people. It shall be a time of anguish as never before, since the nations first existed until this very day. Then, all those, whose names are written in the book, will be saved.

Many of those who sleep in the Region of the Dust will awake, some to everlasting life but others to eternal horror and shame. Those who acquired knowledge will shine, like the brilliance of the firmament; those who taught people to be just will shine, like the stars, for all eternity.