📖 Readings for November 20, 2025
First Reading – 1 Maccabees 2:15–29 (KJV-style public-domain text)
(Note: Maccabees is not part of the KJV canon, but the public-domain English translation below reflects the common wording used in the public domain.)
1 Maccabees 2:15–29
15 And the king’s officers, who enforced the apostasy, came to the city of Modin to make the people sacrifice.
16 Many of Israel came to them, and Mattathias and his sons were gathered together.
17 Then the king’s officers spoke to Mattathias, saying, “You are a ruler, an honorable and great man in this city. Come first and fulfill the king’s command.”
18 “You and your sons shall be counted among the king’s friends, and you shall be honored with silver and gold if you obey.”
19 But Mattathias answered and said, “Though all the nations that are under the king obey him, yet will I and my sons walk in the covenant of our fathers.”
20 “God forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances.”
21 “We will not obey the king’s words, to turn aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left.”
22 When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to sacrifice upon the altar in Modin according to the king’s command.
23 When Mattathias saw him, his zeal was kindled, and he ran and slew him upon the altar.
24 Thus he showed zeal for the law.
25 Mattathias cried out with a loud voice in the city, saying, “Whosoever is zealous for the law, and maintains the covenant, let him follow me.”
26 So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that they had in the city.
27 Then many that sought righteousness and judgment went down into the wilderness to dwell there.
28 They and their children and wives went into the mountains because great affliction pressed upon them.
29 And many joined themselves to them who were brave and devoted to the law.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 50:1–2, 5–6, 14–15 (KJV)
Psalm 50:1–2, 5–6, 14–15
1 The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.
15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Gospel – Luke 19:41–44 (KJV)
Luke 19:41–44
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
✨ Reflection (Based on the Readings Above)
1. Fidelity Under Pressure (1 Maccabees 2:15–29)
Mattathias shows heroic courage. While others give in, he stands firm, saying he and his sons will not forsake the law.
His courage invites us to ask:
👉 Do I remain faithful even when it is inconvenient or costly?
His stance reminds us that faithfulness is not proven in comfort but in conviction.
2. God’s Justice and Saving Power (Psalm 50)
Psalm 50 speaks of a God who sees all and judges rightly.
But it also declares: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee.”
This is a message of hope for those in distress—especially important today as we remember those suffering from recent calamities.
3. Recognizing God’s Visitation (Luke 19:41–44)
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because they did not recognize the moment when God reached out to them.
This is a wake-up call:
👉 How often does God speak, invite, or comfort us—but we are too busy or distracted to notice?
God visits us in His Word, in moments of silence, through people, in trials, and in opportunities to love. Let us not miss Him.
🙏 Prayer (Including Typhoon Tino & Uwan Victims)
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your Word today that reminds us of courage, faithfulness, and the urgency of recognizing Your presence in our lives. Like Mattathias, give us the strength to stand firm in our convictions.
Lord, You said: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee.”
We lift to You the victims of Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan, especially those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.
Pour out Your mercy, healing, and protection over Cebu and all regions affected.
Shield our country, O God, from further harm.
May Your angels guard every Filipino family, and may Your peace reign in every heart.
Lord Jesus, help us recognize Your visitation today—
in moments of quiet, in acts of kindness, and in the strength You give us in trials.
Turn our hearts toward You, and let Your peace, the peace You longed to give Jerusalem, dwell in our lives.
We entrust our nation and our people to Your loving hands.
Amen.
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