Daily Readings - Fri Aug 28 2020
1 Corinthians
17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.18For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.19For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.22For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.25For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Matthew
1"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.3For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.5As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.6But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'7Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.8And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'9But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.'10And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.11Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.'12But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.'13Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that the cross of Christ, often seen as foolishness by the world, is in fact the power of God. Paul emphasizes that true wisdom comes not from human understanding but from the cross, urging us to embrace God's wisdom over worldly knowledge.
The Gospel from Matthew presents the parable of the ten virgins, where preparedness is key. The prudent virgins, with their lamps filled with oil, symbolize spiritual readiness, while the foolish ones, unprepared, miss the groom's arrival. This parable underscores the importance of being vigilant and prepared for the unexpected return of the kingdom of heaven.
These readings relate by highlighting the themes of wisdom and preparedness. Paul's message in Corinthians encourages us to trust in God's wisdom, while Matthew's parable calls us to spiritual readiness. Together, they remind us to focus on our spiritual lives, trusting in God's plan and staying prepared for life's uncertainties.
In our daily lives, this means cultivating faith, hope, and love, and not being swayed by worldly pursuits. True wisdom lies in the cross, and being prepared spiritually ensures we remain grounded in our faith. Let us embrace God's wisdom and stay vigilant, ready to meet Him whenever He comes.