Daily Readings - Sun Nov 08 2020
1 Thessalonians
13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Matthew
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of wisdom, hope, and preparedness. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom encourages us to seek wisdom diligently, emphasizing that it is a gift that can be found by those who love and pursue it. The second reading from 1 Thessalonians offers comfort regarding those who have passed away, assuring us of the hope of resurrection and the promise of eternal life with Christ. The Gospel parable of the ten virgins underscores the importance of being prepared to meet the Lord, reminding us to stay vigilant and ready for His return.
These readings are interconnected through the theme of preparedness and the pursuit of what is truly valuable. Wisdom, as personified in the first reading, is not just knowledge but a way of life that guides us in making virtuous choices. The hope of resurrection in the second reading gives us the assurance that our efforts to live a life of faith are not in vain. The parable of the virgins in the Gospel serves as a reminder that our spiritual lives require constant attention and preparation, much like the prudent virgins who ensured they had enough oil for their lamps.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to be mindful of our spiritual state. We are encouraged to seek wisdom in our decisions, to live with hope even in the face of uncertainty, and to remain vigilant in our faith. The moral lesson here is clear: our lives should be oriented towards eternal values, and we must be prepared to meet the Lord at any moment. As we go about our daily routines, let us remember to nurture our spiritual lives, just as the prudent virgins tended to their lamps, so that we may be ready to welcome Christ whenever He comes.