Daily Readings - Sun Nov 16 2025

¹For, behold, the day will arrive, kindled like a furnace, and all the arrogant and all those who act impiously will be stubble. And the approaching day will inflame them, says the Lord of hosts; it will leave behind for them neither root, nor sprout²But unto you, who fear my name, the Sun of justice will arise, and health will be in his wings. And you will go forth and leap like the calves of the herd

2 Thessalonians

Chapter 3

⁷For you yourselves know the manner in which you ought to imitate us. For we were not disorderly among you⁸Nor did we eat bread from anyone for free, but rather, we worked night and day, in hardship and weariness, so as not to be burdensome to you⁹It was not as if we had no authority, but this was so that we might present ourselves as an example to you, in order to imitate us¹⁰Then, too, while we were with you, we insisted on this to you: that if anyone was not willing to work, neither should he eat¹¹For we have heard that there are some among you who act disruptively, not working at all, but eagerly meddling¹²Now we charge those who act in this way, and we beg them in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work in silence and eat their own bread

Luke

Chapter 21

⁵And when some of them were saying, about the temple, that it was adorned with excellent stones and gifts, he said⁶"These things that you see, the days will arrive when there will not be left behind stone upon stone, which is not thrown down.⁷Then they questioned him, saying: "Teacher, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things will happen?⁸And he said: "Be cautious, lest you be seduced. For many will come in my name, saying: ‘For I am he,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ And so, do not choose to go after them⁹And when you will have heard of battles and seditions, do not be terrified. These things must happen first. But the end is not so soon.¹⁰Then he said to them: "People will rise up against people, and kingdom against kingdom¹¹And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and pestilences, and famines, and terrors from heaven; and there will be great signs¹²But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to synagogues and into custody, dragging you before kings and governors, because of my name¹³And this will be an opportunity for you to give testimony¹⁴Therefore, set this in your hearts: that you should not consider in advance how you might respond¹⁵For I will give to you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries will not be able to resist or contradict¹⁶And you will be handed over by your parents, and brothers, and relatives, and friends. And they will bring about the death of some of you¹⁷And you will be hated by all because of my name¹⁸And yet, not a hair of your head will perish¹⁹By your patience, you shall possess your souls

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on judgment, perseverance, and the call to live with integrity and faithfulness. In the first reading from Malachi, we hear a vivid description of the day of the Lord, a day of purification where the arrogant and wicked will face judgment, while those who fear God’s name will experience healing and joy. This passage serves as a reminder of God’s justice and the ultimate triumph of righteousness. The second reading from 2 Thessalonians emphasizes the importance of living a disciplined and hardworking life, warning against idleness and dependence on others. St. Paul reminds us that our faith must be lived out in practical ways, avoiding disruptive behavior and instead working diligently to support ourselves and others. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the destruction of the Temple and the challenges that will precede the end times. He warns against being deceived by false messiahs and encourages His disciples to remain steadfast in the face of persecution and hardship. Jesus assures us that even in the midst of trials, God will give us the strength and wisdom to bear witness to our faith. These readings are interconnected in their themes of judgment, perseverance, and the call to live with integrity. They remind us that our faith is not merely a set of beliefs but a way of life that requires discipline, hard work, and trust in God’s providence. As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are called to examine our own commitment to living a life of faith and integrity. Are we working diligently in our own lives, avoiding idleness and dependency? Are we prepared to face challenges and persecutions with patience and trust in God? The moral lesson here is clear: we must remain faithful and steadfast, trusting that God will guide us through all trials. Let us strive to live in such a way that we are not swayed by false promises or distracted by worldly concerns, but instead, we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, the Sun of Justice, who will bring us healing and peace.