Daily Readings - Fri Aug 26 2022
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 profound lessons about wisdom, preparedness, and faith. 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 from God, not from human understanding. This message challenges us to trust in divine wisdom, even when it seems counterintuitive to the world around us.
The Gospel from Matthew presents the parable of the ten virgins, highlighting the importance of being prepared for the unexpected return of the bridegroom. The five wise virgins, with their lamps trimmed and oil in supply, exemplify readiness and vigilance. This parable teaches us that our faith requires active engagement and preparedness, not complacency. Just as the foolish virgins were unprepared, we too must ensure that our spiritual lives are not found lacking when the time comes.
Both readings converge on the theme of spiritual preparedness. Paul urges us to embrace the "foolishness" of the cross, recognizing it as God's wisdom. Matthew's parable calls us to be vigilant, ensuring our spiritual reservoirs are full. In our daily lives, this means nurturing our faith through prayer, reflection, and service. Let us not be like the foolish virgins, caught off guard, but rather like the wise, who are ever-prepared to meet the Lord. May we embrace God's wisdom and remain steadfast in our readiness for His coming.