Wednesday, November 18, 2026 — Wednesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
The ten gold coins
Luke 19:11-28
The Gospel
Jesus tells of a nobleman who goes to a distant country to receive a kingdom and entrusts ten gold coins to his servants to trade with until he returns. Two of them multiply what they received and are set over cities; the third keeps his coin wrapped in a cloth and returns it untouched. The master takes the coin from him and gives it to the one who has ten, and declares that to everyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
Readings of the day: First Reading: Revelation 4:1-11; Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6; Alleluia: John 15:16; Gospel: Luke 19:11-28.
Reflection
The nobleman goes away to receive a kingdom, and his servants must trade until he returns. Each receives the same coin, and each is judged by what he does with it. St. John Chrysostom observes that in earthly matters sharing lessens what we have, but in spiritual things sharing increases wealth; the Gospel is not spent by being given away. St. Bede teaches that the silver in the parable is the preaching of the Gospel and the word of God, pure as silver tried in the fire. The fearful servant wraps his coin in a cloth and returns it untouched, and his excuse becomes his condemnation. The King who is coming is the same Lord who entrusted the gift; he does not ask for equal results, he asks for faithfulness. What has been placed in your hands today: a word, a talent, a task? Put it to work, and do not wait for the return to begin.
From the Fathers
“For in earthly matters participation lessens, in spiritual it increases wealth.”
— St. John Chrysostom, in the Catena Aurea on Luke 19:11–27
“But money or silver is the preaching of the Gospel and the word of God, for the words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in the fire.”
— St. Bede the Venerable, in the Catena Aurea on Luke 19:11–27
Saint of the day
The Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, an optional memorial today. Saint Peter’s Basilica stands over the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles and was consecrated by Pope Urban VIII on November 18, 1626; Saint Paul Outside the Walls, near the place of Saint Paul’s martyrdom, was rebuilt after a fire in 1823 and consecrated by Pope Pius IX in 1854.
Get the Gospel by email — free
Sources: the day’s readings follow the daily lectionary (USCCB, Lectionary 499). The Gospel text is not reproduced here; read it at the link above. Patristic quotes: Catena Aurea on Luke 19:11–27, compiled by St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by John Henry Newman (1841, public domain).