Daily Mass Readings for Friday, 1 September 2023
First Reading: First Thessalonians 4: 1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 97: 1 and 2b, 5-6, 10, 11-12
Alleluia: Luke 21: 36
Gospel: Matthew 25: 1-13
Friday, 1 September 2023
First Reading
First Thessalonians 4: 1-8
Brothers and sisters,
we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,
as you received from us
how you should conduct yourselves to please God–
and as you are conducting yourselves–
you do so even more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
This is the will of God, your holiness:
that you refrain from immorality,
that each of you know how to acquire a wife for himself
in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion
as do the Gentiles who do not know God;
not to take advantage of or exploit a brother or sister in this matter,
for the Lord is an avenger in all these things,
as we told you before and solemnly affirmed.
For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness.
Therefore, whoever disregards this,
disregards not a human being but God,
who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 97:1 and 2b, 5-6, 10, 11-12
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD loves those who hate evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful ones;
from the hand of the wicked he delivers them.
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
Alleluia
Lk 21:36
Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all time and pray,
that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mt 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."
Todays Reflection
Being Prepared by Charity
The parable of the "ten virgins" highlights the importance of being vigilant in our Christian walk. The bridesmaids, following Jewish tradition, go to the home of the bride to await the groom's arrival for a wedding. Jesus tells this parable to emphasize the need for charity in our lives. The parable suggests that faith must result in charity, otherwise it is not true faith.
To live an active and manifest life of charity, we must focus on fostering charity in our thoughts, words, and actions. Eliminate critical and condemning thoughts and strive to see others as God sees them. Charity should direct our words, be encouraging, kind, supportive, and merciful. Our actions become charitable when we are generous with our time, go out of our way to serve, and are diligent in expressing our love of others.
Reflect on the high calling you have been given to live an active and manifest life of charity. Do you allow yourself to become guided by a more secular and selfish form of love? Do you truly build people up and witness the love of God to them? This parable is more than a story; it is truth. Some will arrive at the day of judgment without the necessary "oil" for their lamps. Take our Lord seriously and examine your life of charity. Where you are lacking, become fervent in your mission to change.
In conclusion, the parable of the "ten virgins" emphasizes the importance of being vigilant in our Christian walk and the importance of charity in our lives.
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