Daily Readings - Fri Sep 01 2017
1 Thessalonians
1Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.2For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.3It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;4that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable,5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.8Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Matthew
1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.2Five of them were foolish and five were wise.3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'9"'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the importance of living with purpose, integrity, and spiritual preparedness. In the first reading from 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul urges the early Christians to live in a way that pleases God, emphasizing the need for holiness and moral integrity. He reminds them that their calling is to sanctification, which involves avoiding sinful behaviors and treating others justly. This passage is set in the context of a young Christian community striving to live according to the teachings of Christ, even as they faced challenges from the surrounding pagan culture. Paul’s words are both a reminder and a warning: living a virtuous life is not optional for those who follow Christ.
The Gospel parable of the ten virgins further underscores the theme of preparedness. Jesus tells the story of five wise virgins who were ready to meet the bridegroom with enough oil for their lamps, while the five foolish ones were unprepared and missed the opportunity to enter the wedding feast. This parable is part of Jesus’ teachings on vigilance and readiness for the coming of the Kingdom of God. The delay of the bridegroom symbolizes the unknown timing of Christ’s return, and the oil represents the spiritual resources we need to sustain us in our faith journey. The foolish virgins, who failed to bring extra oil, remind us that spiritual complacency can lead to being left behind.
Together, these readings call us to live with intentionality and mindfulness. St. Paul’s exhortation to holiness and the parable of the virgins both emphasize the importance of being prepared to meet God at any moment. In our daily lives, this means cultivating virtues, avoiding sin, and nurturing our relationship with God through prayer and good works. Just as the wise virgins kept their lamps burning, we must keep our hearts and minds focused on Christ, ensuring that we are spiritually prepared for whatever comes our way. Let us not grow complacent or distracted by the world, but instead strive to live as children of light, ready to welcome the Lord whenever He comes.