23RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH, 2025
INTRODUCTION
The end is near. There is no doubt about it. The warnings are dire. The tone of today's
texts is ominous. But the baptized know how to live in the meantime. The baptized
are strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament. The baptized
rally around the invitation of the apostle: “Do not be weary in doing what is right.”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without you nothing is strong, nothing
is holy. Embrace us with your mercy, that with you as our ruler and guide, we
may live through what is temporary without losing what is eternal, through Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING
MALACHI 4:1-2A
Malachi, whose name means “my messenger,” warns that “the day is coming.”
On that day, the evil will be destroyed like stubble in a fire, but the “sun of
righteousness” will shine on those who honor God.
1 See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all
evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of
hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2a But for you who revere
my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.
PSALM
PSALM 98
(Response) In righteousness will the Lord judge the world. (Ps. 98:9)
1 Sing a new song to the Lord, who has done marvelous things,
whose right hand and holy arm have won the victory.
2 O Lord, you have made known your victory,
you have revealed your righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 You remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands;
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
(Response) In righteousness will the Lord judge the world. (Ps. 98:9)
5 Sing to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the voice of song.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
shout with joy before the king, the Lord.
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it,
the world and those who dwell therein.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord, who comes to judge the earth.
9 The Lord will judge the world with righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
(Response) In righteousness will the Lord judge the world. (Ps. 98:9)
SECOND READING
2ND THESSALONIANS 3:6-13
Some members of the Thessalonian community, because of their belief in the
nearness of Christ’s return, had ceased to work, living off the generosity of other
members of the community. The writer of this letter warns them bluntly that if they
want to eat, they need to work.
6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister living irresponsibly and not
according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know
how you ought to imitate us; we were not irresponsible when we were with you,
8 and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor
we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not
because we do not have that right but in order to give you an example to imitate.
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: anyone
unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living
irresponsibly, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we
command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn
their own living. 13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Alleluia. (Luke 21:28)
GOSPEL READING
LUKE 21:5-19
As history moves toward God’s fulfillment there will be frightening signs and
events. Before the end, believers will draw strength from their relationship to God
and will be given the words they need to testify and to endure without fear.
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful
stones and gifts dedicated to God, [Jesus] said, 6 “As for these things that you
see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be
thrown down.”
7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this
is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for
many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go
after them.
9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things
must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10 Then he said to
them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will
be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will
be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will
hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings
and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to
testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, 15 for
I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to
withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by
relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated
by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your
endurance you will gain your souls.”
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SERMONS
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