November 18, 2026
Wednesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time,
or Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Gospel: Luke 19:11-28 and Matthew 14:22-33

Today is Wednesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time. According to the General Roman Calendar, the Church celebrates today the Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles.

The Missal published by the Catholic Truth Society tells us:

The dedication of these two major basilicas allows us to express our communion with the Church in Rome. Both basilicas were completed in the fourth century and commemorate the two great Apostles: St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican Hill was built above the tomb of the first Pope, and St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls likewise stands above the final resting place of the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Today, the Gospel for Wednesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time is taken from the Gospel of Saint Luke; if the Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles is celebrated, the Gospel is taken from the Gospel of Saint Matthew. From these two Gospels we see the inspirations that Our Lord Jesus gives us in two different scenes.

From the inspiration Jesus gives us through the Gospel of Saint Matthew, we see a frightened community of disciples. After Jesus left them, they were sailing alone on the sea of the world, and they were sensitive to everything around them. Sometimes we also encounter such situations, especially when we are in adversity. Adversity makes us become as timid as Peter, because at that time, we have not yet discovered the unique grace God has given to each of us, nor the unique call He has for us. At that time, we live in distress, and we long to walk toward Jesus like Peter. But when we truly begin to walk toward Jesus, the factors that hinder us from approaching Him reappear, preventing us from moving toward God. At this time, we must draw inspiration from another teaching of Jesus told to us by Saint Luke. Jesus tells us: the merciful God, according to the measure of each person’s ability, gives us the strength to approach Him. If we make good use of the strength God gives us and completely trust in God, we will not become timid like Peter but will be as brave as Saint Paul the Apostle. Because at that time, our complete longing for God helps us remove all obstacles that prevent us from approaching God, enabling us to walk toward the God who is always ready to love us. For Jesus still loves us, and He is always ready to rescue us when we need Him.

O Lord our God, grant us the joy of being unfailingly devoted to You, for to serve the Creator of all good with constancy is full and lasting happiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica