By Fr. Greg Heille, OP, Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, Missouri.
What does "the fear of the Lord" really mean? Before you go to Mass this weekend, walk through the readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time and discover the thread that ties them together: not fear of punishment, but awe of the Lord.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9) might better be translated "the awe of the Lord": respect, wonder, and submission to the word of the Lord. This week's readings show what that covenant awe looks like, and what happens when fear takes its place. In the Parable of the Talents, the third servant buries his talent "out of fear," a fear of retribution rather than a relationship of awe and trust.
đź“– THIS SUNDAY'S READINGS
First Reading: Proverbs 31 (the worthy wife)
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128, "Blessed are those who fear the Lord"
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5, "like a thief in the night"
Alleluia: John 15, "Remain in me as I remain in you"
Gospel: Matthew 25 (The Parable of the Talents)
đź—“ Sunday, November 15, 2026 | 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
⏱ CHAPTERS
0:00 Welcome: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
0:14 "Fear of the Lord" means awe of the Lord
0:58 First Reading: Proverbs 31, the worthy wife
1:49 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128
2:18 Gospel: The Parable of the Talents
3:21 The servant who buried his talent out of fear
4:19 Alleluia verse: "Remain in me"
5:02 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians, the day of the Lord
6:36 Looking ahead: Christ the King and Advent
đź’¬ QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
Where in your life is God inviting you to move from fear to awe and trust? Share in the comments.
⛪ Know Before You Go is a weekly preview of the Sunday Mass readings, helping you arrive at Mass ready to hear the Word of God.
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