Daily Readings - Fri Aug 31 2018
1 Corinthians
17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.18For the message of the cross is foolishness 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; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect on our spiritual preparedness and trust in God's wisdom. 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 and wisdom of God. Paul emphasizes that true wisdom comes from God, not from human understanding, challenging us to embrace the humility of faith over the arrogance of human knowledge.
The Gospel parable of the ten virgins further underscores the importance of being prepared spiritually. The prudent virgins, who brought extra oil, were ready to meet the bridegroom when he arrived unexpectedly, while the foolish ones were caught off guard. This parable teaches us about the necessity of vigilance and the importance of nurturing our spiritual lives so that we may be ready to meet Christ at any moment.
Both readings call us to a life of trust and preparedness. In a world that often values human wisdom and self-reliance, we are invited to embrace the foolishness of the cross and to cultivate spiritual vigilance. Let us strive to deepen our relationship with God, trusting in His wisdom and being prepared to meet Him in all aspects of our lives. May we remember that true strength and wisdom come from God, and may we always be ready to embrace His plan with faith and humility.