Daily Readings - Sun Nov 12 2023
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
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of preparedness, hope, and the pursuit of wisdom. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom encourages us to seek wisdom diligently, for it is a gift from God that illuminates our path and perfects our understanding. Wisdom is not something we stumble upon by chance; it requires effort, vigilance, and a willingness to seek it with an open heart. The reading reminds us that wisdom anticipates those who desire it and reveals herself to those who are watchful and attentive.
The second reading from 1 Thessalonians shifts our focus to hope and comfort in the face of loss. St. Paul reassures the early Christians that those who have died in Christ will rise again with him. This passage is a beautiful reminder of the Christian hope that transcends death. It encourages us to console one another with the promise of resurrection and to live with the assurance that we will one day be united with the Lord and with each other.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. The five wise virgins, who brought extra oil for their lamps, represent those who are vigilant and ready to meet the Lord at any moment. The foolish virgins, who ran out of oil, remind us that spiritual complacency can lead to missed opportunities. This parable is a call to live with a sense of urgency and readiness, nurturing our faith and love for God so that we may be found prepared when the Lord comes.
These readings are deeply connected. The pursuit of wisdom in the first reading, the hope of resurrection in the second, and the call to preparedness in the Gospel all point to the same truth: our lives as Christians are marked by anticipation and readiness. We are called to live each day with a sense of purpose, seeking wisdom, nurturing hope, and staying vigilant for the Lord’s return. In practical terms, this means cultivating prayer, living with integrity, and being mindful of how we use the time and resources God has given us. May we, like the wise virgins, be found prepared and faithful when the Lord comes, whether in the end of our lives or at the end of time. Let us trust in God’s promises and live with hearts open to his grace.