First Reading Wisdom 6:12-16
Wisdom will come to those who seek it.
Responsorial Psalm. Psalm 63:2,3-4,5-6,7-8
Our souls are thirsting for God.
Second Reading. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
(shorter form: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)
God will raise all those who have died.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, teaching his disciples the importance of being prepared to receive the Kingdom of Heaven.
According to marriage customs of Jesus’ day, a bride was first “betrothed” to her husband but continued for a time to live with her family. Then, at the appointed hour some months later, the groom would come to claim her, leading her family and bridal party to the wedding feast that would celebrate and inaugurate their new life together.
This is the background to the parable of the last judgment we hear in today’s Gospel.
In the parable’s symbolism, Jesus is the Bridegroom . In this, He fulfills God’s ancient promise to join himself forever to His chosen people as a husband cleaves to his bride . The virgins of the bridal party represent us, the members of the Church.
We were “betrothed” to Jesus in Baptism and are called to lives of holiness and devotion until He comes again to lead us to the heavenly wedding feast at the end of time (see Revelation 19:7-9; 21:1-4 ).
Please note
We appolagize for the delay of this week posting due to a technical difficulty with the hosting website.
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