Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost 2025

Join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM for Morning Prayer as we gather to hear God’s Word and encourage one another in faith. Whether you’re a longtime member or visiting for the first time, we are glad to have you with us! This week, we celebrate the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost 2025, Proper 28, Year C (Track 2).

You’re Invited to Worship with Us! Morning Prayer – November 16, 2025

Worship with us in the way that works best for you:

• In Person – We would be delighted to see you! Please join us for coffee and fellowship after the service.
• Livestream – Join our online service from the comfort of your own home or wherever you may be.
• Replay – You can watch it at your convenience anytime after the worship service.
• Podcast – Enjoy audio content while you’re on the move.

All are welcome. Come as you are. We look forward to praising God together!

Livestream & Replay

Live at 9 am Central.

Podcast

You can find the St John the Divine podcast on all major podcast players so you can listen on the go, or listen

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The Collect for the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost 2025

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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The Scripture Readings for the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost 2025

Old Testament: Malachi 4:1-2a

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 Psalm: Psalm 98

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. With his right hand and his holy arm has he won for himself the victory.

The LORD has made known his victory; his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands; lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

Sing to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the voice of song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn shout with joy before the King, the LORD.

Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, the lands and those who dwell therein.

Let the rivers clap their hands, and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD, when he comes to judge the earth.

In righteousness shall he judge the world and the peoples with equity.

Epistle: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For 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 labor 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. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Gospel: Luke 21:5-19

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 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.

“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 he 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 defense 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 and brothers, 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.”

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Devotional Reflection for the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost 2025: Hope in the Midst of Upheaval

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to reflect on the end times—not with fear, but with a hope rooted in Christ. Today’s readings are particularly relevant for communities facing uncertainty, persecution, and the breakdown of familiar structures.

The Promise of Healing Light

Malachi’s prophecy presents a clear contrast: for the arrogant and evildoers, the coming day will be like a burning oven. In contrast, for those who honor God’s name, the sun of righteousness will rise “with healing in its wings.” This vivid imagery reminds us that the same divine presence that brings judgment to those who reject God also offers restoration and healing to the faithful. Even in our darkest moments, God’s light shines through.

Faithful Work in the Present

Paul’s message to the Thessalonians emphasizes that our hope should be rooted in practical daily faithfulness. Some members of the early church, believing that Christ’s return was imminent, had stopped working and become idle. Paul addresses this misunderstanding with a straightforward command: continue to work quietly and earn your living. Our hope in Christ’s return does not exempt us from our current responsibilities; rather, it should inspire us to be diligent stewards of each day we are given. We are encouraged to “not grow weary in doing what is right,” which is a timeless message for every generation.

Endurance Through Trial

Jesus’ words in the book of Luke are quite sobering. He predicts the destruction of the Temple, alongside wars, earthquakes, famines, and persecution. The disciples will indeed face arrest, imprisonment, and martyrdom. However, within this difficult teaching are remarkable promises: Jesus will provide his followers with the words they need when they testify. They will receive wisdom that cannot be contradicted. Most notably, He assures them that “not a hair of your head will perish.”

This may seem paradoxical—Jesus acknowledges that some people will face death, yet He promises them ultimate salvation. This reflects the Christian belief that our true life cannot be harmed by earthly powers. Physical persecution cannot destroy the soul of those who persevere in faith.

Living in the “Already and Not Yet”

These scriptures emphasize a tension that Christians have experienced for two millennia: Christ’s kingdom has already entered our world, but we still await its full realization. We find ourselves in the space between the “already” of Christ’s first coming and the “not yet” of his return. Although this can be uncomfortable, it is in this tension that we are called to remain faithful.

Like the early Christians, we may face trials—not necessarily physical persecution in most contexts, but the challenge of remaining faithful in a world that often dismisses or opposes our values. We might witness the institutions we once trusted beginning to crumble, and we may experience disruptions that shake our sense of security.

Our Response

How should we respond? Jesus instructs us not to be afraid and to avoid being misled by those who claim to have special knowledge about the end times. Instead, we should view every trial as an opportunity to witness God’s faithfulness. Decide in your hearts not to worry about finding the perfect words—trust that God will provide you with what you need in the moment.

The collect for this Sunday invites us to “hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” the Scriptures so that we may “embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life.” This is our calling: to internalize God’s Word so deeply that it shapes our response to every situation, giving us a perspective that transcends our immediate troubles.

As we near Christ the King Sunday and the season of Advent, let us reaffirm our commitment to patient endurance and perseverance. We must continue to do what is right, even when we feel weary. Let us trust that the sun of righteousness will rise, bringing healing to all who remain faithful. Each day, let us live with the assurance that we know the end of the story—God’s love and justice will prevail, and all who endure will find salvation.

Come, Lord Jesus. Grant us endurance, fill us with hope, and help us to remain faithful until you come again. Amen.

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We invite you to join us for Morning Prayer—in person, via livestream, or through the replay and podcast. Let us come together in worship and encourage one another in faithful endurance.