On this Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, we find ourselves confronted once again with what business managers and auditors might call stock-taking. In the corporate world, this means rolling up one’s sleeves, drawing a clear line between successes and failures, and determining a clear path forward. In spiritual language, however, this time of year invites us to reflect on the “end times;” on the moments of reckoning and accountability when each person must state their stewardship before God. These themes are prominent in today’s gospel from Luke (21:5-19), where Jesus cautions his disciples not to be deceived by impostors who claim to speak in his name and encourages them to stand firm with their heads lifted high (Luke 21:28). I find the language of auditing helpful here, for it expresses the spirit of today’s liturgy in terms many of us readily understand.
In its light, as the year draws to a close, organizations and business owners naturally review their accomplishments and identify areas for improvement. Likewise, St. Paul’s admonition to the Thessalonians (2 Thess 3:7-12) speaks directly to those tempted to idleness under the assumption that the end is near. His words call them, and us, to remain diligent, productive, and committed to the work before us until life itself is completed. Such diligence ensures that when the time for spiritual stock-taking arrives, we may celebrate our faithfulness rather than lament wasted opportunities.
I am grateful that your community is blessed with many hardworking individuals whose example inspires others to keep striving. Like St. Paul, we must continue encouraging one another, especially as the Church places these readings before us to awaken us to the real challenges people face today. Among these challenges is the policy position of the present US government to withdraw support programs, such as food stamps, which countless families depend on for survival. As we celebrate, the future of food stamps remains uncertain. In fact, just last week, the United States Supreme Court upheld the government’s petition to temporarily suspend them, leaving many anxious about the prospect of hunger.
At this moment, my brothers and sisters, the Church calls us away from self-pity toward responsibility, solidarity, and mutual support. Following the spirit of St. Paul’s exhortation, we must resist idleness and take to heart the ancient yet enduring principle: unless one is sick, too aged, a child, or another truly unable, “let the one who does not work not eat.” By living this way, emphasizing diligence, compassion, and courage, we will remain self-reliant, preparing ourselves for our own day of reckoning before God, thereby supporting the flourishing of our entire community.
Should you be inquisitive about your color season, determining whether you fit into the deep summer palette can significantly help perfect your wardrobe and makeup choices. Deep summer color analysis highlights subtle, cool tones that complement yellow undertone skin and olive complexions, making it more straightforward to select clothing colors that bring out your natural beauty. For a at no expense interactive experience, you could try an AI color analysis quiz online—there are some fantastic tools that supply insights without any cost [url=https://color-analysis-online.org]how to tell my color season[/url] .
Figuring out your season reaches further than just clothes; hair color trends for 2026 also relate to seasonal color theory, so you can examine options like cool summer hair color or shades that perform excellently for pale or yellow undertone skin. If you’re thinking about “what season am I?” or looking for a skin tone chart to direct your choices, seasonal color palettes and color analysis apps can make the process fun and accurate. Examining these resources really helps in identifying what colors make you appear luminous!