32nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 3 / (Green)
Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
1st Reading: Wis 6:12-16
Wisdom is luminous and never tarnished; she willingly lets herself be seen by those who love her, and known by those who look for her. She hastens to meet those who long for her. Seek her in the morning and you will not be disappointed; you will find her sitting at your door.
To meditate on Wisdom is understanding fully grown; whoever is on the watch for her will be free of anxiety. She goes in search of those who are worthy of her, graciously meets them on the way and is present in their every thought.
2nd Reading: 1 Thes 4:13-18
Brothers and sisters, we want you not to be mistaken about those who are already asleep, lest you grieve as do those who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose; it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus. God will bring them together, with Jesus, and for his sake.
By the same word of the Lord, we assert this: those of us who are to be alive at the Lord‘s coming, will not go ahead of those who are already asleep. When the command by the archangel‘s voice is given, the Lord, himself, will come down from heaven, while the divine trumpet call is sounding. Then, those who have died in the Lord, will rise first; as for us who are still alive, we will be brought along with them, in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the celestial world. And we will be with the Lord forever.
So then, comfort one another with these words.
Gospel: Mt 25:1-13
This story throws light on what will happen in the kingdom of heaven: Ten bridesmaids went out with their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were sensible.
The careless bridesmaids took their lamps as they were, and did not take extra oil. But those who were sensible, took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom delayed, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep.
But at midnight, a cry rang out, ‘The bridegroom is here, come out and meet him!‘ All the maidens woke up at once, and trimmed their lamps. Then the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some oil, for our lamps are going out.‘ The sensible ones answered, ‘There may not be enough for us and for you. You had better go to those who sell, and buy some for yourselves.‘
When the bridegroom came, the foolish maidens were out buying oil, but those who were ready went with him into the wedding feast, and the doors were shut.
Later the other bridesmaids arrived and called out, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!‘ But he answered, ‘Truly I do not know you.‘
So stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour.
REFLECTION:
Read: Those who ardently desire wisdom will not be disappointed. Similarly, those who trust in the promise of resurrection will not be disappointed either. Jesus gives the parable of the ten bridesmaids who waited for the arrival of the groom.
Reflect: God‘s promises will have their fulfillment in His time. It is important to trust in His words and wait in hope with the right preparation. Many people start enthusiastically along the Lord‘s path; but the seeming delay in the fulfillment of God‘s promises disappoints them. Their oil of faith runs out and they haven‘t carried with them extra reserves, and they drop out, only to realize to their regret that God does fulfill his Covenant. Who are we like: the five wise bridesmaids with reserves of faith or the other five not-so-wise ones?
Pray: Pray for perseverance in faith and mission.
Act: Reach out and comfort someone who feels discouraged by the seeming delay in God‘s healing intervention in his/her life.
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
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