Homily – 33rd Sunday – Year C – Fr Jeremiah Browne (National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies #southafrica #eswatini #Swaziland #Botswana)
As I reflected on today’s readings, I was struck by the fact that the more things change, the more they stay the same. We only have to look at history to recognise how little in this world is permanent. The Berlin Wall stood for decades as a symbol of division, yet it crumbled almost overnight as hope rose higher than concrete. Ancient Chinese dynasties once ruled vast territories with power that seemed unshakeable, yet each eventually gave way to a new chapter.
The Roman Empire shaped law, culture, and civilisation, yet its strength faded until only ruins remained. In South Africa, apartheid appeared immovable for generations, yet the day came when its injustice collapsed under the weight of truth and the longing for dignity.
These examples remind us that nothing built by human hands lasts forever. Change is woven into the very fabric of life. No present reality, however overwhelming, has the final word. God alone stands steady through every turn of history.
And yet, have you noticed how easily we forget this truth when it comes to our own stories. Think about how we trap ourselves in a moment of time! When we face difficulty, we fear that life will never improve. When our marriage is strained, we convince ourselves that things can only deteriorate. When we make mistakes, we hold ourselves prisoner to our imperfections.
So often, we view our current situation as permanent, but it is not. Not only is any given trauma or situation not the full measure of our lives, our very lives are not permanent either. We are pilgrims passing through destined one day to step beyond the boundary of this life into the embrace of God.
In today’s Gospel (Luke 21:5-9) Jesus speaks directly to this reality. Some people are admiring the beauty and strength of the Temple, a building that stood as the pride of Israel.
It represented stability, identity, and security. Yet Jesus tells them that this great structure will fall. Walls that promised safety would crumble. Such a statement must have shocked the listeners to think that something so magnificent could end in ruin.
Jesus isn’t saying this to frighten his listeners, but to liberate them, to free them from the notion that they could place their ultimate trust in anything temporary. Life changes. Relationships shift. Health falters. Plans unravel.
Even the inner ground of our hearts can feel unsteady. All of us know what it is to watch something we relied upon begin to fall apart, and those are the moments when fear speaks loudly, telling us that we will not manage, that there is no way through.
Jesus refuses to let fear have the final say. Yes, he speaks of wars, upheaval, and trials, but he places a promise right at the centre: not a hair of your head will be lost. He assures us that even in the most unsettling seasons, God holds us fast. The Gospel never denies the reality of struggle, but it always offers hope in the midst of it. The world may shake, yet God’s purpose remains steady.
This steady purpose becomes our anchor and our mission. We are not asked to escape the challenges of our time, but to face them with a different spirit, a spirit shaped by trust rather than anxiety. Jesus invites us to remain faithful, to persevere, and to hold onto the truth that God is at work even when things feel messy, or our lives feel uncertain. Such faithfulness becomes a witness in itself.
When others see hope alive in us, particularly in difficulty, they glimpse something of God’s kingdom breaking through. Our calling is to carry that hope forward, to stand firm in the places where life feels fragile, and to let our steady trust become a quiet light for others.
Courage grows when it is shared, and hope spreads when it is lived rather than spoken about. Our perseverance becomes a small but powerful sign that God has not abandoned His people.
This is how mission takes root in ordinary life. Every challenge offers space for witness. Every loss opens a doorway to compassion. Every ending carries the seed of a new beginning. The early Christians discovered this truth as they lived through difficult times. It was the hope they clung to that helped spread the Gospel across borders, cultures, and centuries. Their confidence did not come from a calm world but from a faithful God.
Their courage did not rise from their own strength but from the conviction that Christ walks with His people in every season. That same conviction is offered to us today.
As we stand near the end of this liturgical year, what might these readings be asking of us? What needs to shift in the way we see our own struggles so that hope becomes our starting point rather than fear? What opportunities for witness lie hidden in the very situations we would rather avoid?
As we go forth this week, may we open our hearts to the changes God places before us. May we walk with courage, not avoiding difficulty, but trusting that in Christ nothing is ever wasted and every change can carry the seeds of new life. Let our hope reach beyond the moment we are in. The One who walks with us is stronger than any challenge, kinder than any fear, and faithful through every change.
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Please consider praying a decade of the rosary on a daily basis for the evangelising Mission of the Church and the Pope’s intentions.
The pope’s prayer intention for November is:
‘For the prevention of suicide”
Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.
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Blessed Pauline Jaricot, Pray for us. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
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Batswana Catholics Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Diocese of Francistown Diocese of Francistown Youth & Young Adults Diocese of Mthatha Catholic Diocese Of Kroonstad Missionary Childhood MTHATHA CATHOLIC DIOCESAN YOUTH: ULUTSHA OLUNENJONGO CATHOLIC YOUTH OF THE DIOCESE OF KLERKSDORP Catholic Diocese of Klerksdorp Catholic Diocese of Kimberley Youth & Young Adults Ministry DIOCESE OF CAPE TOWN Catholic Women’s League Archdiocese of Cape Town Catholic Institute of Education Catholic Church South Africa – Sacbc #catholic #homily #love #faith #hope #perseverence