A Call to Endurance as the Liturgical Year Draws to a Close
In a deeply moving Sunday reflection delivered for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba has urged Christians to remain steadfast in their witness for Christ, especially in a world increasingly hostile to authentic faith.
According to the priest, the closing days of the liturgical calendar offer believers a sober reminder of how the end will unfold — a reality captured vividly in the readings from Malachi 3:19–20, 2 Thessalonians 3:7–12, and the Gospel of Luke 21:5–19.
Throughout his message, Fr Olowolagba emphasised that persecution is not merely a historical reality but a continuous sign accompanying the life of every sincere disciple. His reflection, monitored by Akahi News, drew attention to the scriptural assurance that “your endurance will win you your life.”
Scriptural Warnings: The Fate of Evildoers and the Reward for the Faithful
Rev. Fr Olowolagba began by greeting the faithful: “Peace of the Lord be with you all, beloved brethren in Christ.”
He explained that as the Church approaches the end of the liturgical year, Christians are reminded that the Day of the Lord will separate the righteous from the wicked. Drawing from the Prophet Malachi, he recalled the sobering message:
“The evildoers will be burned like straw in the fire and they will be left without branches or roots. But for those who revere the name of the Lord, the sun of justice will rise with healing rays.” — Malachi 3:19–20.
According to the priest, this promise offers hope to believers who remain firm amid trials. Akahi News gathered that this scriptural contrast lays the foundation for Christian vigilance as the year winds down.
A Troubling Experience in Thessalonica: When Zeal Goes Too Far
While reflecting on the second reading, Fr Olowolagba highlighted what he described as a “strange development” in the Thessalonian church. Some Christians, excited about the Second Coming of Christ, became overly zealous and misinformed.
Akahi News learnt that some members of the early Church misunderstood Christ’s teachings and began to give away their possessions, quit their jobs, and depended on others for survival, believing the Lord’s return was imminent.
St Paul addressed this unhealthy development by urging believers:
“Keep away from every brother who is idle.” — 2 Thess. 3:7–12.
Rev. Fr Olowolagba noted that while the hope of Christ’s return should inspire service and holiness, it must never lead to irresponsibility or spiritual fanaticism. The priest said the Thessalonian incident remains a warning to modern believers not to distort scripture or chase sensational doctrines.
Jesus’ Teaching: No One Knows the Day nor the Hour
Turning to the Gospel reading from Luke 21, Rev. Fr Olowolagba reminded the congregation that Jesus never gave His followers a specific date or time for the end of the world.
According to him, the disciples assumed that the destruction of the Temple must coincide with the end of time, but Jesus corrected this misconception. He warned them against deception, false prophets, and premature expectations.
Akahi News gathered from the homily that Jesus mentioned three major themes:
- The destruction of Jerusalem
- His Second Coming
- The end of the world
But in all these, the emphasis was on vigilance, not speculation.
Do Not Be Deceived: The Rise of False Messiahs and Global Conflict
Rev. Fr Olowolagba explained that one major sign of the end is the rise of false messiahs — people claiming divine authority or presenting themselves as God’s chosen ones.
These impostors, he said, will make two dangerous claims:
- The claim of divine identity — “I am He.”
- The claim of ushering in the Messianic Age.
But Jesus warned: “Do not follow them!”
The priest added that wars, revolutions, and conflicts among nations will also increase. Yet believers must not be frightened, for these events are only the beginning of the birth pangs, not the end itself.
Persecution: The Price of Witnessing for Christ
One of the strongest messages from Fr Olowolagba’s reflection was that persecution is inevitable for true disciples.
He noted that the world will always resist the standard of holiness, purity, and godliness expected of Christians. Just as early believers suffered for their faith, modern Christians too may face mockery, rejection, hostility, and even violence.
However, he assured the faithful — as emphasised in the Gospel — that persecution will become an opportunity for glorious witness. God Himself will strengthen His people and give them wisdom that their adversaries cannot contradict.
Akahi News gathered that the priest described this divine empowerment as one of the greatest consolations promised to believers in times of trial.
Endurance: The Key to Eternal Life
The central theme of the day’s homily — “Your endurance will win you your life” — was reiterated as the climax of the reflection.
Rev. Fr Olowolagba encouraged Christians to remain firm in faith, patient in trials, disciplined in behaviour, and unwavering in hope. Endurance, he emphasised, is not passive suffering but active perseverance in righteousness.
He urged the faithful never to give up, even when confronted by hardship, ridicule, or moral decay in society. God rewards those who stand erect, remain faithful, and hold firmly to Christ until the end.
As the liturgical year approaches its conclusion, Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba’s homily comes as a timely call for Christians to deepen their vigilance, purify their intentions, and remain rooted in authentic discipleship.
His message, captured by Akahi News, reminds believers that although trials and persecution are inevitable, they are also pathways to eternal glory. In the words of Jesus, “By your endurance you will win your lives.”
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org
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33RD SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR C
Readings: 1st . Malachi 3:19-20 2nd 2 These 3:7-12 Gospel Lk 21:519
Theme : witnessing for Christ will result in persecutor: stand erect ! Your endurance will win you your Life
Reflection: peace of the Lord be with you all, beloved brethren in Christ the Lord. As this year’s liturgical season is coming to a close , we are reminded of how the end will look like : “the evidoers will be burned like straw in the fire and they will be left without branches or roots say the Lord of Hosts . On the other hand, the sun of justice with his healing rays will shine upon you who revere my name . Then you will come out leaping like calves from the stall (Malachi 3:19-20). “Keep away, from every brother who is idle”(2 Thess 3:19-20). A strange thing had happened in the Thessalonians church, some of the believers had become excited over the return of the Lord and the promise of being with Him forever in the New heavens and new earth; They began to sacrifice all they could to meet the needs of the people. But went too far. They ignored the Lord’s warning that only God the Father knows the day. They began to project doctrine and declared that His return was about to take place. Therefore, some quit their jobs in order to have more time as ministers, and in an act of sacrificial commitment, they gave away all they had with nothing to live on. They were now having to Sponge off the other believers in order to survive. Their action have been the most unwise. This is the cause of this pastoral letter. Beloved brethren in Christ Jesus , it is important to note that while Christ discussed three important matters: the destruction of Jerusalem , His second coming and the end of the world, he never gave exact time and date. They didn’t think of it in terms of messianic kingdom of God. In their minds, the Temple could not possibly be destroyed until the end of time , when all things came about. Right now what they expected is the glory of Israel to be established right now. Jesus warned His disciples not to be deceived. A person can easily be deceived when dealing with the end-time prophecies and also facing the end time events ; the first sign is that there will be false Messiahs. False Messiahs will make two claims; the claim of deity- ” I am “- and end,- time – Messianic Age. “Do not follow them!” There will be conflicts of Nations, war and revolution; believers are not be fightened . On account of Christ’s name believers will be persecuted why ? The standard of true godliness and life of purity (Gal 5:19-20). The result of the result of the persecution will be a glorious witness for the Lord (Act: 9: 16) . The preparation for defence will not be needed: God will fill the heart and mouth with wisdom that his persecutors will not be able to resist his defence. The believers endurance will win him life eternal ! What an amazing result !