Msgr. Roger J. Landry
National Director, The Pontifical Mission Societies
Daily Reflection for November 16, 2025
Here is the video of today’s reflection.
The Youtube generated transcript for today’s reflection is:
I am Monsignor Roger Landry, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, coming to you from the chapel of St. Kateri Tekakwitha on the grounds of the shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville, New York. It’s Sunday, November 16th. And in the readings today, Jesus gives us some disturbing images. He basically says that at the end of time, there are going to be lots of catastrophes happening in the heavens. There are going to be earthquakes and famines and plagues here on earth. There are going to be wars and insurrections and then we too are going to be betrayed. Betrayed by family members and friends, dragged before civil authorities and even religious authorities. But Jesus tells us not to be afraid of all of that because he’s going to be with us. Says, don’t worry about what you’re to say. Don’t worry about how you’re to respond because the spirit of your father will be given to you to teach you what you are to say and by your perseverance you will save your lives. Sometimes the Lord allows us to be in predicaments all of these circumstances that he describes in today’s gospel precisely to strengthen our relationship with him. Sometimes when everything’s going great, when there aren’t massive signs in the heavens, when there aren’t wars and insurrections and conflicts, when there aren’t famines and plagues and other um natural catastrophes, we can go on life without God. But when these things happen, they are often provocations for us to prioritize God, to turn to him in prayer, to ask him for help, to put him in the place he should be every day. And in those circumstances, he wants us teaching others how to live. That when we are betrayed or when we’re enduring these things, we show them how to endure them together with the Lord. that sometimes the greatest opportunity we have to witness is precisely when everybody else is opened far more to God’s presence either because they’re trying to test us on trial or because we’re all being tried and we’re going to show people how to pass that test together with the Lord Jesus. This is what missionaries try to take to the entire world to teach them that despite the many hardships people have to endure in every age. That we’re not abandoned. We don’t face it alone. That God with us is very much with us to help us in those circumstances. So that no matter what occurs, we recognize that those are not the ultimate things. That the ultimate things are what we mark this November. heaven, God willing, after our death and judgment and hell, which we want to avoid. But our choices in life, our choices to unite ourselves with God are the way that we constantly choose heaven. And so, let’s not wait for those signs in the heavens. Let’s not wait for the time that somebody will stab us in the back. Let’s not wait for plagues and famines and other things that force us to come to the Lord. Let’s use our freedom to come to him first and choose him, live in his kingdom, and then help others to come to prioritize God, too. This is what we celebrate on this Lord’s day. God bless you.
The Gospel reading on which the reflection was based on:
Gospel
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.
“Before all this happens, however,
they will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”