First Reading: Jeremiah 29:1–14
1These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jeru- salem to the remainder of the elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, the women, children, and men whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2This was after the departure of King Jeconiah, and the Queen Mother, the court officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the artisans, and the smiths from Jerusalem. 3It was by the hand of Elasah ben of Shaphan and Gemariah ben of Hilkiah, whom King Zedekiah of Judah sent to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon saying:
4Thus says the Commander of heaven’s legions, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5Build houses and settle in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6Take women as wives and father sons and daughters; take women as wives for your sons and your daughters, give to men, husbands, that they may give birth to daughters and sons. Multiply there and do not decrease. 7And seek the well-being of the city where I have sent you all into exile and pray to the God Who Hears on its behalf for, in its well-being will be well-being for all of you.
8For thus says the Commander of heaven’s vanguard, the God of Israel:
Let not the prophets and the diviners who are in your midst deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that you dream. 9For it is a lie they prophesy to you in my Name; I did not send them,
an utterance of the All-Knowing God.
10For thus says the Faithful One: When seventy years are fulfilled for Babylon I shall attend you all and I shall establish for you my good word, and return you all to this place. 11For surely I know the plans I have planned for you all—
an utterance of the Ancient Of Days—
Plans for your well-being and not for evil, to give you all a future and hope. 12Then when you all call upon me and you come and you all pray to me, I shall hear you. 13And when you all seek me, you shall find me; if you all seek me with your whole heart. 14I will be found by you all,
an utterance of the Gracious God.
And I shall reverse your captivity and gather you all from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you,
an utterance of the Shepherding God.
And I shall return you all to the place from which I banished you into exile.
Psalm: Psalm 33:8–22
8Let all the earth revere She Who is Wisdom;
let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of her.
9For she spoke, and it came to pass;
she commanded, and it stood fast;
she commanded, and it stood firm.
10The Mighty One shatters the counsel of the nations;
she disallows the designs of the peoples.
11The counsel of the Wisdom of the Ages stands forever;
the designs of her heart to all generations.
12Blessed is the nation for whom the Holy One of Old is their God;
the people whom she has chosen as her heritage.
13From the heavens the Most High looks down;
she sees all the woman-born.
14From her eternal throne she gazes upon
all the inhabitants of the earth.
15She who fashions their hearts alike
is the one who discerns all their doings.
18Look! The eye of the Faithful One is on those who revere her,
on those who hope in her faithful love,
19to deliver their soul from death,
and to keep them alive in famine.
20Our soul waits for She Who Saves;
she is our help and shield.
21In her is our heart glad,
because we trust in her holy Name.
22Let your faithful love, Compassionate God, be upon us,
for it is you in whom we trust.
Second Reading: James 5:7–11
7Be patient, therefore, kindred, until the coming of the Redeemer. Look! The farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You all must also be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Redeemer is drawing near. 9Do not grumble against one another beloved, so that you may not be judged. Look! The Judge is standing at the doors! 10As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the women and men, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Holy One. 11See here, we bless those who showed endurance. Of the endurance of Job you have heard; and you all have seen the end goal of the Holy One, that the Holy One is compassionate and merciful.
Gospel: Luke 21:29–36
29And Jesus told a parable [to the people at the temple when the widow put in her two coins]: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves you yourselves see and know that summer is already near. 31In the same way, when you all see these things taking place, you know that the reign of God is near. 32Truly I say to all of you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34Be alert to yourselves so that your hearts are not weighed down with self-indulgence and drunkenness and the cares of this life, and that day catch you suddenly. 35Like a trap! For it will come upon all who live upon the face of the whole earth. 36Stay awake at all times, praying so that you all might have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Woman.”
Share this post