33rd Sunday Year C 2025

By your perseverance you will secure your lives." (Lc 21,19)

The village of Stonemere lay quiet beneath a darkened sky. Smoke rose from the chimneys, but hearts were heavy; the mines had all closed and winter had come early. Among the villagers lived Miriam, a widow who had lost so much—her husband to the mines, her home to debt, and her health to the many years of struggle. Yet every morning, she would light a single candle at her window and whisper, “The Lord is near.”

One bitter evening, as wind swept through the valley, young Thomas knocked at her door. “Miriam,” he said, “how can you keep believing when everything around you is falling apart?” She smiled faintly and opened her worn Bible. “Listen, child,” she said kindly, ‘But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.’ (Malachi 4:2)

She went on to tell him how faith was not the absence of suffering but the courage to endure it. “Even Saint Paul,” she continued, “worked hard and faced hunger, yet he said we must never grow weary in doing good” (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:7–12). Thomas lowered his eyes. “But what if everything collapses?” he mumbled.

Miriam’s gaze lifted to the candle. “Then we stand firm,” she said softly. “Our Lord warned that nations would fall, temples would crumble, and we would be hated for His sake. But He also promised—not a hair of our heads would perish without God’s care.” (cf. Luke 21:5–19)

The storm raged that night, tearing at doors and roofs. Yet Miriam’s candle did not go out. In the morning, the first light of dawn broke over the hills. The village gathered to find Miriam praying by her window, her candle was still burning. “We have nothing,” she said, “but we have God—and God is enough.”

Her faith stirred the people. They rebuilt together—sharing food, mending homes, and working with new hope. In time, the mines reopened, but Stonemere was never the same. They had learned that true strength lies not in wealth or walls but in trust.

Pope Leo XIV said, “It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all unconditionally.” (Address from St Peter’s Square)

And also, “We must seek together how to be a missionary Church — a Church that builds bridges … always open to receive (people), everyone, all those who need our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.” (Homily / Mission Quotes)

Through hardship and fire, the people of the village discovered what Miriam had always known: when we hold fast to Christ, no darkness can overcome his light. And every evening still, a candle burns in Stonemere—its flame a quiet thank-you to God, who never forgets his own. (n.b. Stonemere is fictitious)

By Fr. Thomas O'Brien a.a.