Daily Readings - Fri Sep 01 2023
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
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.