Daily Readings - Fri Sep 01 2023
1 Thessalonians
1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
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 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.