Lectionary 33, Year B
Proper 28 The Sunday between November 13 and November 19 Revised Common Lectionary, Year B, the year of Mark Green
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The Gospel: Mark 13:1–8
Jesus foretells that the temple will be thrown down and warns his disciples about those who will lead many astray, and about wars, earthquakes, and famines.
What is going on
As they leave the temple, one of the disciples points out its huge stones and magnificent buildings.
Jesus says that not one stone will be left on another. Later, sitting across from the temple on the Mount of Olives, four disciples ask him when this will happen.
He tells them to watch out that no one leads them astray. There will be wars, earthquakes and famines, but these are only the beginning, like the first pains of childbirth. About forty years later, the Romans destroyed the temple.
Mark 13:1-8
Most churches stand for the Gospel, and sing or say a short response before and after it.
The passage
1 As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!” 2 Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.” 3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?” 5 Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. 6 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and will lead many astray. 7 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Jesus Speaks About the End, scene by scene on Free Scripture
The other readings
In the order they are read on Sunday, before the Gospel.
Daniel 12:1-3
Daniel is told that in a time of great trouble Michael will arise, God’s people will be rescued, and many who sleep in the dust will awake.
Read it here
1 “At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars forever and ever.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Psalm 16
A song of trust in God as refuge and good portion, who shows the path of life and fullness of joy.
Read it here
1 Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you. 2 My soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing.” 3 As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight. 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who give gifts to another god. Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names on my lips. 5 The LORD assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance. 7 I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety. 10 For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Hebrews 10:11-14 [15-18] 19-25
The letter to the Hebrews says Christ’s one sacrifice takes away sin forever, so readers may draw near to God and stir one another to love.
Read it here
11 Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and often offering the same sacrifices which can never take away sins, 12 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet. 14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them: ‘After those days,’ says the Lord, ‘I will put my laws on their heart, I will also write them on their mind;’ ” then he says, 17 “I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.” 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, 21 and having a great priest over God’s house, 22 let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water, 23 let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful. 24 Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Some congregations follow the RCL’s other track this Sunday, which reads an Old Testament book straight through over several weeks: 1 Samuel 1:4–20 and 1 Samuel 2:1–10 in place of the first reading and psalm above.
A question to carry into the week
Jesus tells his friends not to be alarmed when things fall apart. What steadies you when the news is frightening?
For your newsletter or sermon notes
These readings are told as stories on our sister site, Free Scripture, one scene at a time in plain words. The lines below are ready to paste. The next eight Sundays, and every story.
Lectionary 33 (Proper 28) · Revised Common Lectionary, Year B · the same Sunday at the Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Scripture text: World English Bible, public domain.
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org Used by permission.