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Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Revelation 4:1-11

I, John, had a vision of an open door to heaven,
and I heard the trumpetlike voice
that had spoken to me before, saying,
“Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards.”
At once I was caught up in spirit.
A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat one
whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian.
Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald.
Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones
on which twenty-four elders sat,
dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads.
From the throne came flashes of lightning,
rumblings, and peals of thunder.
Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne,
which are the seven spirits of God.
In front of the throne was something that resembled
a sea of glass like crystal.

In the center and around the throne,
there were four living creatures
covered with eyes in front and in back.
The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf,
the third had a face like that of a man,
and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight.
The four living creatures, each of them with six wings,
were covered with eyes inside and out.
Day and night they do not stop exclaiming:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty,
who was, and who is, and who is to come.”
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks
to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
the twenty-four elders fall down
before the one who sits on the throne
and worship him, who lives forever and ever.
They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:

“Worthy are you, Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things;
because of your will they came to be and were created.”

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. (1b) Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
Praise the LORD in his sanctuary,
praise him in the firmament of his strength.
Praise him for his mighty deeds,
praise him for his sovereign majesty.
R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet,
praise him with lyre and harp,
Praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipe.
R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
Praise him with sounding cymbals,
praise him with clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath
praise the LORD! Alleluia.
R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Alleluia : See John 15:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Luke 19:11-28

While people were listening to Jesus speak,
he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem
and they thought that the Kingdom of God
would appear there immediately.
So he said,
“A nobleman went off to a distant country
to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.
He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins
and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’
His fellow citizens, however, despised him
and sent a delegation after him to announce,
‘We do not want this man to be our king.’
But when he returned after obtaining the kingship,
he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money,
to learn what they had gained by trading.
The first came forward and said,
‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’
He replied, ‘Well done, good servant!
You have been faithful in this very small matter;
take charge of ten cities.’
Then the second came and reported,
‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’
And to this servant too he said,
‘You, take charge of five cities.’
Then the other servant came and said,
‘Sir, here is your gold coin;
I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,
for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;
you take up what you did not lay down
and you harvest what you did not plant.’
He said to him,
‘With your own words I shall condemn you,
you wicked servant.
You knew I was a demanding man,
taking up what I did not lay down
and harvesting what I did not plant;
why did you not put my money in a bank?
Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’
And to those standing by he said,
‘Take the gold coin from him
and give it to the servant who has ten.’
But they said to him,
‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’
He replied, ‘I tell you,
to everyone who has, more will be given,
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,
bring them here and slay them before me.’”

After he had said this,
he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

Message from the Readings

The vision in Revelation reveals the ultimate reality behind all earthly events: God reigns supreme. Surrounded by heavenly praise, the Lord receives glory, honour, and worship because everything exists through His will. Heaven is centred on God, and all creation acknowledges His majesty.
In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that while we await the fullness of God’s Kingdom, we are not called to be passive. Each servant receives a gift and is expected to use it wisely. Those who act faithfully are rewarded, while the servant who allows fear to paralyse him loses the opportunity entrusted to him.
Together, these readings teach us that true worship is not limited to words sung in heaven or prayers spoken on earth. Worship also involves faithfully using our God-given talents, opportunities, and blessings for His glory.

 Reflection

Many of us find it easy to praise God when blessings are evident, but the daily responsibilities of life can sometimes distract us from our higher calling. The heavenly vision in Revelation reminds us that our lives gain meaning when centred on God. Every achievement, relationship, talent, and possession finds its purpose when offered back to Him in gratitude.
The Gospel challenges us to examine how we are using what God has entrusted to us. Our faith, time, abilities, resources, and opportunities are not meant to be hidden away out of fear or insecurity. God does not expect perfection, but He does expect faithfulness.
Fear often whispers, “What if I fail?” Faith responds, “What if God works through me?” The successful servants were not praised because of extraordinary abilities but because they acted with trust and diligence. Likewise, God calls each of us to bear lasting fruit through the gifts He has placed in our hands.
Today is an invitation to move beyond hesitation and embrace the mission God has given us. Whether through acts of kindness, service, evangelisation, prayer, or using our talents for the good of others, every faithful effort becomes an offering of worship to the Lord.

 Prayer for the Day

Heavenly Father,
You alone are worthy of all glory, honour, and praise. Open my eyes to Your majesty and help me keep my heart focused on You throughout this day.
Thank You for the gifts, talents, and opportunities You have entrusted to me. Forgive me for the times I have allowed fear, complacency, or doubt to keep me from serving You wholeheartedly.
Fill me with courage to use my gifts faithfully for Your Kingdom. May my work, my words, and my actions bear lasting fruit and bring glory to Your name.
Teach me to worship You not only with my prayers but also through a life of faithful stewardship and loving service.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, may my life continually proclaim Your praise.
Amen.