33rd Sunday of Year A
PETITIONS
November 15, 2026๏ฟผ
The Church
Governments and Salvation of the World
Those Burdened by Adversity
Local Parish / Faith Community
THE WORD
IN SONGS
THIS WEEK
ONE WORD
MANY CHARISMS
Sunday Lectionary Perspectives Across Religious Traditions
Jeff Cavins
Ascension Press (2017)
Jeff Cavinsโ core message is focused on using the Godโgiven gifts, talents, education, and opportunities youโve received as faithful stewards for His kingdomโnot for personal gainโbrings true, lasting joy.
Archdiocese of Brisbane
33rd Sunday of Year A
Archdiocese of Brisbane (2026)
Deacon Chad Hargrave's central message is that love for God and neighborโrooted in Godโs compassionate natureโunderpins all Scripture, law, and the universe, and should guide us to interpret the Bible mercifully and serve the vulnerable rather than justify violence or prejudice.
Archdiocese of Brisbane (2023)
Two-Minute Homily by Fr Isaac Falzon for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023. "Our life is a path of learning to wake up and be present to the now."
Fr. Aidan Rooney, C.M.
33rd Sunday of Year A
St. John's University (2026)
Fr. Rooney CM urges us to turn inward during the seasonโs quiet, examine our own hopes and priorities, and transform that selfโreflection into concrete love for our neighborsโespecially the vulnerable and marginalizedโby turning personal faith into actionable service for all.
St. John's University (2023)
Fr. Rooney's CM core message is that we must use every talent God gives usโno matter how smallโto actively work for justice and the poor, recognizing that Scripture deepens our faith but never replaces Church teaching, and that fearing risk only traps us in an unjust system.
Catholic Women Preach
33rd Sunday of Year A
Catholic Women Preach (2026)
Lori Stanley urges us to abandon fear and selfโcomparison, fully trust Godโs unconditional love, and boldly use the unique gifts Heโs given usโjust as the faithful servants in the parable of the talentsโso we can bear lasting fruit and live purposefully while awaiting Christโs return.
Catholic Women Preach (2023)
Rosemary Johnston's core message is that we must recognize and generously share the unique gifts God has given each of usโusing them wisely and selflessly for the common goodโbecause doing so expands our hearts, unites us in love, and prepares us for the Masterโs return.
Bishop James Golka
33rd Sunday of Year A
Diocese of Colorado Springs (2023)
Bishop Golka urges each person to cultivate a personal, diligent relationship with Christโsymbolized by keeping oneโs own โoilโ of good works and anointingโso they are prepared for His return and the final judgment.
Know Before You Go
33rd Sunday of Year A
Coming Soon!
Dominican Friars (2026)
TBD
Dominican Friars (2023)
Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the parable of the talents from the scripture for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus left the church to carry on his work, and will come back at the end of time and judge us for what we did with what we were given.
Catholic Women Preach (202o)
Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP opens up the parable of the talents for us, challenging us to do what we can with what we are given. The core message is that God calls us to faithfully use the gifts and talents Heโs givenโrather than hoarding or flaunting themโto serve others, live authentically, and build a life destined for heaven.
1-Minute Homily
33rd Sunday of Year A
The Jesuit Post (2023)
Jason Quino McCreery, SJ, reflects on the Parable of the Talents in this week's One-Minute Homily. Use your Godโgiven talents faithfullyโvaluing diligent effort over resultsโso that even modest gifts can be employed to feed, clothe, and help others.
Cardinal Luis Tagle
33rd Sunday of Year A
Jescom TV (2023)
Cardinal Tagle reflects on true, humble fear of the Lord and calls believers to actively steward and multiply their Godโgiven gifts, serving others with diligent, faithful devotion that expands His kingdom.
SOLT Liturgy Prep
33rd Sunday of Year A
SOLT (2023)
True reverence for God is expressed by loving Him and willingly using the gifts Heโs given us to obey His commandments and expand His kingdom.
The Word on the Word
33rd Sunday of Year A
EWTN (2023)
Melissa and Veronica outline what fear of the Lord is and is not. True fear of the Lord is an aweโfilled reverence that fuels faith, humility, and blessings, prompting believers to pray for deeper reverence and let it drive their evangelism.
Liturgy Notes
Courtesy of The Sunday Massโ2023 Cycle A
33rd Sunday of Year A
- INTRODUCTION
- KYRIE
- PETITIONS
๐ 8.5 x 11 Bulletin Insert
๐ฅบ Invocations
Option 1 (Inspired by the Gospel Parable of the Talents)
- Lord Jesus, you call us to be good and faithful servants: Lord, have mercy.
- Christ Jesus, you entrust us with the abundant gifts of your kingdom: Christ, have mercy.
- Lord Jesus, you cast out our fear and invite us to share in your joy: Lord, have mercy.
Option 2 (Inspired by the Second Reading on Vigilance)
- Lord Jesus, you are the light that dispels the darkness of our world: Lord, have mercy.
- Christ Jesus, you call us to stay awake, be sober, and walk as children of the light: Christ, have mercy.
- Lord Jesus, you will come again in glory to bring salvation to your people: Lord, have mercy.
Option 3 (Inspired by the First Reading on Charity and Diligence)
- Lord Jesus, you reach out your hands to the poor and marginalized: Lord, have mercy.
- Christ Jesus, you teach us to work diligently with loving and generous hearts: Christ, have mercy.
- Lord Jesus, you crown the humble and the faithful with eternal life: Lord, have mercy.
๐ Presider's Introduction
Brothers and sisters, as children of the day, we are called to stay awake and use the gifts God has entrusted to us. With confidence in our Father's generous love, we bring before him the needs of the Church and the world.
General Intercessions
- For the Church: That the leaders and faithful of the Church may walk closely as children of the light, fearlessly investing their spiritual gifts to share the joy of the Gospel with all nations. We pray to the Lord.
- For the World and Government Leaders: That those in public office may labor diligently for true peace and security, governing with wisdom so that the world's resources are multiplied and shared justly among all people. We pray to the Lord.
- For the Oppressed and Overburdened: That those who are paralyzed by fear, living in poverty, or burdened by illness may experience the loving hands of their community reaching out to them with comfort, dignity, and practical help. We pray to the Lord.
- For our Parish Community: That we will never bury the talents God has given us out of complacency or fear, but boldly use our time and abilities to build up God's kingdom right here in our local community. We pray to the Lord.
Concluding Prayer
God of all goodness, you have entrusted us with the rich treasures of your grace. Hear the prayers we offer you today, and banish the fear that keeps us from serving you fully. Grant us the courage to be good and faithful servants, that we may one day enter into the joy of our Master. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
33rd Sunday of Year A
BULLETIN BLURB: This weekend, as we celebrate the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Gospel presents the Parable of the Talents. Jesus challenges us to consider how we are using the unique gifts and resources God has entrusted to us. Are we investing our time, talents, and treasure to build up the Kingdom, or are we burying them out of fear or complacency? As we draw near to the end of the liturgical year, we are reminded that true faithfulness means taking bold, loving action in our daily lives. Let us ask the Lord for the courage to multiply the blessings weโve received, sharing them generously.
33rd Sunday of Year A
Evaluating Inclusivity and Training
Todayโs Gospel passage is well-known and led to our common use of the word talent to mean a special ability. In biblical times, a talent was a measure of weight as well as a unit of value equivalent to that weight of a precious metal. So, the parable is really about investing money, but it led to using the word to mean ability.
Planners might focus more on that adapted use of the term than on investment issues. The Lectionary seems to do this, as well. Note that the first reading speaks of the abilities of a good wife, not of money or investing. While some modern feminists might quibble today with the abilities it highlights, the passage points us toward considering the abilities we need for the celebration of the liturgy.
Planners might discuss together the various liturgical ministries currently employed in the parish worship. With each, consider how well the ministry is being fulfilled, what problems may have arisen with that ministry, what kind of training is offered to those entering the ministry, what continuing formation is offered, and whether enough people have stepped forward (or been invited) to serve in the ministry. You might also review the list of people involved to see if it is really representative of the wider parish community. Are various ethnic groups included? Are young people invited to share the ministry? Are those with various disabilities enabled to serve according to their abilities?
33rd Sunday of Year A
Is anyone who volunteers accepted into any ministry automatically? Are there qualifications that need to be met? Is the training for the ministry designed in a way that reveals whether someone can fulfill the ministry well or not? This may be most evident when we train lectors or cantors, but every ministry requires particular abilities and attitudes. While we certainly want to encourage everyone to volunteer, placing them in a ministry for which they are not well-suited does a disservice to both the volunteers and the parish.
One way to begin to address this issue is to start talking about discerning with any volunteers what their personal gifts are and how they can best be put to use for the good of the whole community. Someone who volunteers to be a cantor may not have the vocal skill for that ministry but may be able to serve well as a member of the choir or perhaps as a lector. Someone who has difficulty with proclaiming clearly and with meaning may be able to serve quite well as a eucharistic minister. Someone with mobility limitations may not be able to fulfill all the tasks of an usher, but may still be able to serve well as a greeter before and after the liturgy.
Full Series: Cycle A Resources
OCP MusicโEntrance
Response & Acclaim
OCP MusicโResponsorial
Presentation & Preparation
OCP MusicโPresentation
33rd Sunday of Year A
Communion
OCP MusicโCommunion
33rd Sunday of Year A
Sending Forth
OCP MusicโSending Forth
33rd Sunday of Year A
Send Your Glory Down (Trevor Thomson)
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
Pr 31:10-13,19-20,30-31
2023 video courtesy of The Sunday Massโ2023 Cycle A
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
2026 video courtesy of Lector with Lisa
PACING THEME:
CORE CONCEPT:
VOCAL PROFILE:
1st ReadingโDelivery Blueprint
Text Segment | Vocal Tone | Pacing & Ambo Actions |
Pr 31:10-13,19-20,30-31
Greg Warnusz
Our Liturgical Setting: Today's gospel, Matthew 25:14-30, is, on one level, about using one's talents and being accountable for that use. It's the second-last in this year's series of episodes from Matthew.
The editors of the lectionary usually choose the first reading in light of the day's gospel. The book of Proverbs is the best place to turn for practical advice about keeping busy in worthwhile ways. And this reading happily echoes last Sunday's first reading, where wisdom was personified as a woman.
Proclaiming It: Pronounce "distaff" with a short "i" and the accent on the first syllable. (A distaff is an instrument used in spinning thread.) Pause after the line "[She] extends her arms to the needy," because there's a break in the thought there.
1 Thess 5:1-6
2023 video courtesy of The Sunday Massโ2023 Cycle A
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
2026 video courtesy of Lector with Lisa
PACING THEME:
CORE CONCEPT:
VOCAL PROFILE:
2nd ReadingโDelivery Blueprint
Text Segment | Vocal Tone | Pacing & Ambo Actions |
1 Thess 5:1-6
Greg Warnusz
The Historical Situation: This is the earliest letter of Saint Paul that we still have. Paul's audience believed that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again very soon! That's the context of this exhortation to stay ready.
The "times and seasons" in the first sentence refer to the time when Jesus would return in glory, to judge the world and bring history to its end. However, elsewhere in the same letter, Paul urges the same audience not to abandon their day-to-day responsibilities just because they're sure Jesus is about to return.
Proclaiming It: Emphasize the phrase "day of the Lord" in the second sentence. Do the same for the expression "that day" in the second paragraph. Also, let your voice express the contrasts throughout the reading.
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