Wise Virgins

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111217.cfm) reminds me that we should live wise, and be ready and prepared to meet God. 

In the gospel today, we again see Jesus telling us something about preparing for God’s coming. We see the story of the ten virgins – half were wise, half were foolish.

During those times, it was customary to meet the bridegrooms. And they know that it usually takes time, that is why the five wise ones brought with them extra oil. The five foolish ones were not just foolish, but lazy as well. They probably thought or hoped that the bridegroom will arrive early, or that they can ask anyway from others who brought oil. They did not make an effort to prepare.

If you don't make an effort and help yourself, how can you expect God to help you?

This is the same with God’s coming. We all know that we will all face God. We all know what we need to do. Like the virgins who knew they just need to bring oil but were lazy and just depended on others, we too know what we need to do to be prepared when God comes. He has been telling us what we need to do to prepare – read his word, pray, love him, do good to others, live right. All of us know it, but just that like the virgins, not all of us are willing to do it. Some are lazy and just think that others may help them, or that they will still have time to prepare when the time is near. However, this may not be the case. And there are some things we cannot expect others to help us with. There are some things, like spiritual preparation, that we have to do ourselves. 

May we make the most out of what God is giving us. He tells us what we need to do, and he gives us the opportunities to do these things. May we be like the wise virgins who prepared to meet the bridegroom, so we can like them celebrate with God forever.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for the reminder. Lord, I am sorry for the times I get lazy. Sorry for not doing my best to prepare to meet you. sorry for being complacent in my preparations, thinking that you will not come soon, or that there will always be time to prepare in the future. Help me live right. Help me live like the wise virgins, who diligently prepared what they need. As I do so, I know that when you come in your glory, I will be able to celebrate with you forever. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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November 12, 2017
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 154

Reading 1WIS 6:12-16

Resplendent and unfading is wisdom,
and she is readily perceived by those who love her,
and found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire;
Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed,
for he shall find her sitting by his gate.
For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence,
and whoever for her sake keeps vigil
shall quickly be free from care;
because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her,
and graciously appears to them in the ways,
and meets them with all solicitude.

Responsorial PsalmPS 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

R. (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
I will remember you upon my couch,
and through the night-watches I will meditate on you:
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Reading 21 THES 4:13-18

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
about those who have fallen asleep,
so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,
so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 
Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive,
who are left until the coming of the Lord,
will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself, with a word of command,
with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God,
will come down from heaven,
and the dead in Christ will rise first. 
Then we who are alive, who are left,
will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air. 
Thus we shall always be with the Lord. 
Therefore, console one another with these words.

Or1 THES 4:13-14

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
about those who have fallen asleep,
so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,
so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

AlleluiaMT 24:42A, 44

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stay awake and be ready!
For you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 
Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 
The foolish ones said to the wise,
'Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.'
But the wise ones replied,
'No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. 
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'
But he said in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour."