Daily Readings - Sun Nov 12 2023
1 Thessalonians
13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.18Therefore encourage each other with these words.
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, 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.