November 18, 2012 
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saint of the day
Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852)
Sister Rose Duchesne was known for praying without ceasing. She was also a woman who gave thanks to God, even though as a missionary to the United States she lived a life of great physical hardship on the frontier. Sister Rose was a Frenchwoman who came to this country to serve the Native Americans. She lived in Kansas and Missouri. There the Native Americans called her “Woman Who Prays Always.” (Taken from "Take Ten: Daily Bible Reflections for Teens.")
Reflection
Do you follow the example of Saint Rose and minister to those who are in need, regardless of any physical hardships or pain that you might endure? Spend some quiet time with the Lord. Ask him to help you to minister to others, even if you feel physically hurt or exhausted afterwards.
Prayer
Native people in this country and in other parts of the world still have many needs. Remember those people in your prayers and whenever the opportunity to help arises. (Taken from “Take Ten: Daily Bible Reflections for Teens.”)
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 158
Place in Year: Ordinary Time
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Green
Daily readings
Reading 1: Daniel 12:1-3
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11
Reading 2: Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
GOSPEL: Mark 13:24-32
View complete readings on USCCB.orgMeditations
Meditation for GOSPEL
No matter what happens, we need to remain faithful to the Word of God, for even though heaven and earth pass away, the Word of God is eternal and will not pass away. God's Word is the only sure thing. Mark tells his community that in times ahead, they will experience suffering and pain and that events will make the world a dark place. But Mark cautions Christians to never lose hope, the hope grounded in their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for those who remain faithful, in spite of world events, will be with Christ in eternity. Mark warns us that as Christians, we will have to profess our faith by the way we live, and in times of persecution, we may even have to die for our faith. But at the Second Coming of Jesus, the faithful will be gathered by Jesus as a community to eternally live in the holy presence of God the Father. Mark also tells us that no one knows when the Second Coming of Jesus will happen. So why worry about it? Not even Jesus the Son knows. We should live our lives each day as faithful followers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is something we can control. (Taken from "Youth Engaging Scripture: Diving into the Sunday Gospels")
