Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Malachi 3:19-20 (JB)

A reading from the prophet Malachi

The sun of righteousness will shine on you.

The day is coming now, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and the evil-doers will be like stubble. The day that is coming is going to burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, leaving them neither root nor stalk. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Malachi 3:19-20 (NRSV)

A reading from the book of the prophet Malachi

The Lord says this:

“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.

“But for you who revere my name

the sun of righteousness shall rise,

with healing in its wings.”

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Ps 97:5-9 (JB)

R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp

with the sound of music.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

acclaim the King, the Lord. R.

Let the sea and all within it, thunder;

the world, and all its peoples.

Let the rivers clap their hands

and the hills ring out their joy

at the presence of the Lord. R.

For the Lord comes,

he comes to rule the earth.

He will rule the world with justice

and the people with fairness. R.

2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 (JB)

A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians

Do not give anyone food who refuses to work.

You know how you are supposed to imitate us: now we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we ever have our meals at anyone’s table without paying for them; no, we worked night and day, slaving and straining, so as not to be a burden on any of you. This was not because we had no right to be, but in order to make ourselves an example for you to follow.

We gave you a rule when we were with you; not to let anyone have any food if he refused to do any work. Now we hear that there are some of you who are living in idleness, doing no work themselves but interfering with everyone else’s. In the Lord Jesus Christ, we order and call on people of this kind to go on quietly working and earning the food that they eat.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 (NRSV)

A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Thessalonians

Brothers and sisters,

you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us;

we were not idle when we were with you,

and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it;

but with toil and labour we worked night and day,

so that we might not burden any of you.

This was not because we do not have that right,

but in order to give you an example to imitate.

For even when we were with you,

we gave you this command:

“Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.”

For we hear that some of you are living in idleness,

mere busybodies, not doing any work.

Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ

to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Luke 21:38 (JB)

Alleluia, alleluia!

Lift up your heads and see;

your redemption is near at hand.

Alleluia!

Luke 21:28 (NRSV)

Alleluia, alleluia!

Lift up your heads and see;

your redemption is near at hand.

Alleluia!

Luke 21:5-19 (JB)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Your endurance will win you your life.

When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’ And they put to him this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’

‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

‘But before all this happens, men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 21:5-19 (NRSV)

A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke

When some were speaking about the temple,

how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God,

Jesus said,

“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.”

They asked him,

“Teacher, when will this be,

and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?”

And Jesus 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.

“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.”

Then Jesus said to them,

“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;

there will be great earthquakes,

and in various places famines and plagues;

and there will be dreadful portents

and great signs from heaven.

“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.

“This will give you an opportunity to testify.

So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance;

for I will give you words and a wisdom

that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

“You will be betrayed even by parents,

by brothers and sisters,

and by relatives and friends;

and they will put some of you to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name.

But not a hair of your head will perish.

By your endurance you will gain your souls.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.