Daily Readings - Fri Sep 01 2023
1 Thessalonians
1Therefore, concerning other things, brothers, we ask and beg you, in the Lord Jesus, that, just as you have received from us the way in which you ought to walk and to please God, so also may you walk, in order that you may abound all the more2For you know what precepts I have given to you through the Lord Jesus3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from fornication4that each one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor5not in passions of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God6and that no one should overwhelm or circumvent his brother in business. For the Lord is the vindicator of all these things, just as we have preached and testified to you7For God has not called us to impurity, but to sanctification8And so, whoever despises these teachings, does not despise man, but God, who has even provided his Holy Spirit within us
Matthew
1"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be like ten virgins, who, taking their lamps, went out to meet the groom and the bride2But five of them were foolish, and five were prudent3For the five foolish, having brought their lamps, did not take oil with them4Yet truly, the prudent ones brought the oil, in their containers, with the lamps5Since the bridegroom was delayed, they all fell asleep, and they were sleeping6But in the middle of the night, a cry went out: ‘Behold, the groom is arriving. Go out to meet him.7Then all those virgins rose up and trimmed their lamps8But the foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give to us from your oil, for our lamps are being extinguished.9The prudent responded by saying, ‘Lest perhaps there may not be enough for us and for you, it would be better for you to go to the vendors and buy some for yourselves.10But while they were going to buy it, the groom arrived. And those who were prepared entered with him to the wedding, and the door was closed11Yet truly, at the very end, the remaining virgins also arrived, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.12But he responded by saying, ‘Amen I say to you, I do not know you.13And so you must be vigilant, because you do not know the day or the hour
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of preparedness and living a life of holiness. The first reading from 1 Thessalonians encourages believers to live in sanctification, avoiding impurity and treating others with respect and fairness. Paul emphasizes that this is God's will for us, and it involves self-control and a commitment to holiness. The Gospel parable of the ten virgins underscores the importance of being prepared for the unexpected return of the Lord. The prudent virgins, who brought extra oil, were ready, while the foolish ones were not, leading to their exclusion from the wedding feast.
These readings complement each other by highlighting the necessity of spiritual preparedness and a virtuous life. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul provides practical advice on how to live a holy life, while the parable in Matthew illustrates the consequences of being unprepared. Both challenge us to examine our lives and ensure we are living in a way that reflects our faith. The context of these readings is clear: they call us to vigilance and holiness, reminding us that our actions have eternal consequences.
In our daily lives, this means being mindful of how we conduct ourselves, both in our relationships and in our personal integrity. We must cultivate spiritual disciplines that keep us prepared for the unexpected, much like the prudent virgins. This preparedness is not about fear but about a deep commitment to living as children of God. As we navigate our lives, let us seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to remain vigilant and steadfast in our pursuit of holiness. May we strive to live in such a way that we are always ready to meet the Lord, whenever He may come.