Readings for the Second Sunday before Advent – 16th November 2025

Collect for the Second Sunday before Advent

Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life; grant that we, having this hope, may purify ourselves even as he is pure; that when he shall appear in power and great glory we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom, where he is alive and reigns with

you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen

A reading from the book of the prophet Malachi, chapter 4, verses 1 to 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.

A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, chapter 3, verses

6 to 13

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. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate

us; we were not irresponsible 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 irresponsibly, 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.

A reading from the gospel according to Luke, chapter 21, verses 5 to 19

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 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 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.

Second Collect

Gracious Lord, in this holy sacrament you give substance to our

hope; bring us at the last to that fullness of life for which we long; through Jesus

Christ our Lord.

Amen