Sunday between 30 October and 5 November    

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time    Fourth Sunday before Advent    All Saints Sunday (Year A)

First Reading - Revelation 7.9-13a,14b-17

A reading from the book of Revelation. I looked, and saw a great multitude, that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, robed in white, waving palm branches, and declaring, with one voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God, and to the Lamb!’ The angels around the throne bowed down and worshipped God, singing, ‘All blessing and honour, all glory and power, all majesty, virtue, wisdom and praise, belong to our God for ever!’ One of the elders said, ‘These, in white robes, are the ones who have come out of the great ordeal. They have purified their robes in the life-blood of the Lamb. Now they are before the throne of God, serving continually in God’s temple. And God will protect them: the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; and they will hunger and thirst no more. The Lamb, on the throne, will be their shepherd, and will guide them to the spring of the water of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - 1 Thessalonians 4.14-18

A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians. My brothers and sisters, we know that Jesus died, and rose again. And we can trust that God will also raise up those who have died in Christ. Indeed the Lord has revealed to us that they will go to meet the Lord ahead of us when the Lord returns.

The Lord will come down from heaven, and at the Lord’s command - with a trumpet blast and the call of an archangel - those who have died in Christ will be raised up first. Only then will we who are left alive be caught up in the clouds with them, to meet the Lord, and to be with the Lord for ever. So encourage one another with these words. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Matthew 23.2-12

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Jesus said to the crowds, and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees teach the law of Moses, but they do not live by the law they teach. So follow what they teach, but do not follow what they do. They place burdens on others that they are not willing to carry themselves. Everything they do, they do to be seen by others. They love to take the places of honour at banquets, and the best seats in the synagogues. They love to be greeted in the market-place, and to have people call them Teacher. But you are not to be called Teacher, for the Messiah is your only teacher, and you are all learning together. And you should call no one on earth your father, for you have one Father - your Father in heaven. And amongst you, the servant will be the greatest. For those who place themselves above others will be brought down. But those who choose to be humble will be lifted up.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.