Responsorial Psalm
With melody of the lyre
and with music of the harp.
With trumpet blast and sound of the horn,
rejoice before the King, the Lord!
Let the sea resound and everything in it,
the world and all its peoples.
Let rivers clap their hands,
hills and mountains sing with joy
Before the Lord,
for he comes to rule the earth.
He will judge the world with justice
and the peoples with fairness.
2nd. READING (2Thes 3,7-12)
You know how you ought to follow our example: we worked while we were with you.
Day and night we labored and toiled so as not to be a burden to any of you. We had the
right to act otherwise, but we wanted to give you an example. Besides, while we were
with you, we said clearly: If anyone is not willing to work, neither should that one eat.
However we heard that some among you live in idleness - busybodies, doing no work.
In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord we command these people to work and earn their
own living.
Gospel
When some people were talking about the Temple, remarking that it was adorned with
fine stonework and rich gifts, Jesus said to them, "The days will come when there
shall not be left one stone upon another of all that you now admire; all will be torn
down." And they asked him, "Master, when will this be, and what will be the sign that
this is about to take place?" Jesus then said, "Take care not to be deceived, for many
will come claiming my title and saying: 'I am he, the Messiah; the time is at hand.' Do
not follow them. When you hear of wars and troubled times, don't be frightened; for all
this must happen first, even though the end is not so soon." And Jesus said, "Nations
will fight each other and kingdom will oppose kingdom. There will be great
earthquakes, famines and plagues; in many places strange and terrifying signs from
heaven will be seen. Before all this happens, people will lay their hands on you and
persecute you; you will be delivered to the Jewish courts and put in prison, and for my
sake you will be brought before kings and governors. This will be your opportunity to
bear witness. So keep this in mind: do not worry in advance about what to answer, for
I will give you words and 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 some of you will be put to death. But even though you are
hated by all for my name's sake, not a hair of your head will perish.
Through perseverance you will possess your own selves.
