Friday of the Twenty-first Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 429
Lectionary: 429
Brothers and sisters:
Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written:
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the learning of the learned I will set aside.
Where is the wise one?
Where is the scribe?
Where is the debater of this age?
Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?
For since in the wisdom of God
the world did not come to know God through wisdom,
it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation
to save those who have faith.
For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
but we proclaim Christ crucified,
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written:
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the learning of the learned I will set aside.
Where is the wise one?
Where is the scribe?
Where is the debater of this age?
Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?
For since in the wisdom of God
the world did not come to know God through wisdom,
it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation
to save those who have faith.
For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
but we proclaim Christ crucified,
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11
R. (5) The
earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
For upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
For upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
AlleluiaLK 21:36
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray,
that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray,
that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
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."
"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."
Meditation: The foolish will miss heaven's
wedding feast
Meditation: Are
you missing out on what's most important in life? Being unprepared can lead to
unnecessary trouble and even disaster! What good is a life-jacket left on the
shore when the boat is sinking? Jesus' story of ten single ladies waiting for a
wedding procession in the middle of the night seems strange to most westerners
today. But Jesus' audience knew all too well how easily this could happen to
them.
Don't miss the most important engagement of all
Wedding customs in ancient Palestine required extra vigilance and preparation for everyone involved. (Some near eastern villages still follow this custom.) The bride and groom did not go away for their honeymoon, but celebrated for a whole week with their family and friends. It was the custom for the groom, in company with his friends, to come at his discretion and get his bride and bring her to their new home. They would take the longest route possible so that many villagers along the way could join in the wedding procession. Once they arrived and closed the doors, no one else could be admitted. If the groom decided to come and bring his bride at night, then lights were required by necessity to guide the travelers through the dark and narrow streets. No one was allowed on the village streets at night without a lamp!
Wedding customs in ancient Palestine required extra vigilance and preparation for everyone involved. (Some near eastern villages still follow this custom.) The bride and groom did not go away for their honeymoon, but celebrated for a whole week with their family and friends. It was the custom for the groom, in company with his friends, to come at his discretion and get his bride and bring her to their new home. They would take the longest route possible so that many villagers along the way could join in the wedding procession. Once they arrived and closed the doors, no one else could be admitted. If the groom decided to come and bring his bride at night, then lights were required by necessity to guide the travelers through the dark and narrow streets. No one was allowed on the village streets at night without a lamp!
To show up for a wedding party without proper attire
and travel arrangements is like trying to get into a special event today that
requires a prearranged permit or reservation. You just don’t get in without the
proper pass. Can you imagine the frustration travelers might experience when
going abroad and finding out that they can’t get into some country because they
don't have the right visa or a valid passport.
The consequences of being unprepared to meet the Lord
Jesus warns us that there are consequences for being unprepared. There are certain things you cannot obtain at the last moment. For example, students cannot prepare for their exams when the day of testing is already upon them. A person cannot get the right kind of character, strength, and skill required for a task at hand unless they already possess it, such as a captain with courage and nautical skills who must steer a ship through a dangerous storm at sea.
Jesus warns us that there are consequences for being unprepared. There are certain things you cannot obtain at the last moment. For example, students cannot prepare for their exams when the day of testing is already upon them. A person cannot get the right kind of character, strength, and skill required for a task at hand unless they already possess it, such as a captain with courage and nautical skills who must steer a ship through a dangerous storm at sea.
When the Lord Jesus comes to lead you to his heavenly
banquet will you be ready to hear his voice and follow? Our eternal welfare
depends on our hearing, and many have trained themselves to not hear. We will
not be prepared to meet the Lord, face to face, when he calls us on the day of
judgment, unless we listen to him today. The Lord invites us to feast at his
heavenly banquet table. Are you ready?
"Lord Jesus, make me vigilant and attentive to
your voice that I may heed your call at all times. May I find joy in your
presence and delight in doing your will."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: The Kingdom of God compared with ten maidens,
by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD)
"The whole story is about the great day of the
Lord, when those things concealed from the human mind will be revealed through
our understanding of divine judgment. Then the faith true to the Lord's coming
will win the just reward for unwavering hope. For in the five wise and five
foolish virgins (Matthew 25:2), a complete separation between the faithful and
unfaithful is established... The wise virgins are those who, embracing the time
available to them, were prepared at the first onset of the coming of the Lord.
But the foolish were those who were lax and unmindful. They troubled themselves
only over present matters and, forgetting what God said, did not direct their
efforts toward hope for resurrection." (excerpt
from the commentary ON MATTHEW 27.3,5)
FRIDAY,
AUGUST 31, MATTHEW 25:1-13
Weekday
(1 Corinthians 1:17-25; Psalm 33)
Weekday
(1 Corinthians 1:17-25; Psalm 33)
KEY VERSE: "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour" (v. 13).
TO KNOW: Using the imagery of a wedding, Jesus told his followers a parable about the necessity of being prepared for his final coming. In Jesus' day, the bridegroom went to the bride’s house in order to bring the bride to his own home where the wedding feast would be held. The bridesmaids were expected to meet the bridegroom as he approached the bride’s house. The foolish bridesmaids did not expect the bridegroom to arrive at night, but the wise ones believed that he could arrive at any time. The foolish bridesmaids were caught by surprise and were unable to obtain oil for their lamps in time for the beginning of the wedding feast. When they finally arrived, the door had been locked, and they were refused entrance (vv. 11–12). The point of this parable was vigilance. Jesus was continually telling people to wake up and to stay awake. Obtaining the oil of sanctity is the responsibility of each individual. No one can borrow the spiritual wealth that others had acquired. Jesus said that he would welcome the faithful servants, but those who foolishly left these matters to the last would be excluded from the wedding feast in God's kingdom.
TO LOVE: Am I wise or foolish in my service to the Lord?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, fill me with your grace so that I may be prepared to meet you when you come in glory.
www.togetherwithgodsword.com
Friday 31 August
2018
Day of Penance.
1 Corinthians 1:17-25. Psalm 32(33):1-2, 4-5, 10-11. Matthew
25:1-13.
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord—Psalm 32(33):1-2,
4-5, 10-11.
‘We are preaching a crucified Christ.’
If you had one wish that would turn true regardless of what you
asked for, what would you seek? Power? Fame? Money? An end to world poverty?
The answer that our all-powerful, all-knowing God came up with
is that he decided to send his Son so that he could let us know how much he
loved us. He entrusted his Son to our care and we responded by crucifying him.
No wonder so many find the cross such a stumbling block to belief. What God
could be so mad?
It is staggering, but it is true – God’s answer to all our
problems is before us in the embrace of the man who hung on the cross.
Saint Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
Saint of the Day for August 31
(1st century)
 |
| Monastery Church: Altar of the crucifixion, Mecklenburg | Gaston Lenthe | (Longinus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus) |
Saint Joseph of Arimathea’s and Nicodemus’ Story
The actions of these two influential Jewish leaders give insight
into the charismatic power of Jesus and his teachings—and the risks that could
be involved in following him.
Joseph was a respected, wealthy civic leader who had become a
disciple of Jesus. Following the death of Jesus, Joseph obtained Jesus’ body
from Pilate, wrapped it in fine linen and buried it. For these reasons, Joseph
is considered the patron saint of funeral directors and pallbearers. More
important is the courage Joseph showed in asking Pilate for Jesus’ body. Jesus
was a condemned criminal who had been publicly executed. According to some
legends, Joseph was punished and imprisoned for such a bold act.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and, like Joseph, an important
first-century Jew. We know from John’s Gospel that Nicodemus went to Jesus at
night—secretly—to better understand his teachings about the kingdom. Later,
he spoke up for Jesus at the time of his arrest and assisted in Jesus’
burial. We know little else about Nicodemus.
Reflection
Celebrating these two contemporaries of Jesus who played
significant roles in Jesus’ life, reminds us of the humanity of Jesus and how
he related to his fellow men and women. His gentleness to these two and his
acceptance of their help remind us that he treats us in the same gentle way.
Saint Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are the Patron Saints
of:
Funeral Directors
Pallbearers
Pallbearers
LECTIO: MATTHEW 25:1-13
Lectio Divina:
Friday, August 31, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) OPENING PRAYER
Father of everlasting goodness,
our origin and guide,
be close to us
and hear the prayers of all who praise You.
Forgive our sins and restore us to life.
Keep us safe in Your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
our origin and guide,
be close to us
and hear the prayers of all who praise You.
Forgive our sins and restore us to life.
Keep us safe in Your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) GOSPEL READING – MATTHEW
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."
3) REFLECTION
• Matthew 25:1ª: The beginning: “At that
time”. The parable begins with these words: “At that time”. It is a
question of the coming of the Son of Man (cf. Mt 24:37). Nobody knows when this
day, this time will come, “not even the angels in Heaven nor the Son himself,
but only the Father” (Mt 24:36). The fortune tellers will not succeed in giving
an estimate. The Son of Man will come as a surprise, when people least expect
Him (Mt 24:44). It can be today, or it can be tomorrow. That is why the last
warning of the parable of the ten Virgins is: “Keep watch!” The ten bridesmaids
should be prepared for anything that might happen. When the Nazi policemen
knocked at the door of the Monastery of the Carmelite Sisters of Echt in the
Province of Limburgia, in the Netherlands, Edith Stein, Sister Teresa Benedicta
of the Cross, was prepared. She took on the Cross and followed the way to
martyrdom in the extermination camp out of love for God and for her people. She
was one of the prudent virgins of the parable.
• Matthew 25:1b-4: The ten virgins ready to wait for the bridegroom. The parable begins like this: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like this: ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.” It is an issue of the bridesmaids who have to accompany the bridegroom to the wedding feast. Because of this, they have to take the lamps with them, to light the way, as well as render the feast more joyful with more light. Five of them were prudent, and five were foolish. This difference is seen in the way in which they prepare themselves for the role that they have to carry out. Together with the lighted lamps, the prudent ones had taken some oil in reserve, preparing themselves in this way for anything which could happen. The foolish ones took only the lamps and they did not think to take some oil in reserve with them.
• Matthew 25:5-7: The unforeseen delay of the arrival of the bridegroom. The bridegroom was late. He had not indicated precisely the hour of his arrival. While waiting, the bridesmaids went to sleep. But the lamps continue to burn and use oil until gradually they burn out. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, there was a cry: “Look! The bridegroom! Go out and meet him!” All the bridesmaids woke up and began to prepare their lamps, which were burning out. They had to put in some of the oil they had brought in reserve so that the lamps would not burn out.
• Matthew 25:8-9: The different reactions to the delay of the bridegroom. It is only now that the foolish bridesmaids become aware that they should have brought some oil in reserve with them. They go to ask the prudent ones, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.” The prudent ones are unable to respond to this request, because at that moment what was important was not for the prudent ones to share their oil with the foolish ones, but that they be ready to accompany the bridegroom to the place of the feast. For this reason they advised them, “You had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves.”
• Matthew 25:10-12: The fate of the prudent bridesmaids and that of the foolish ones. The foolish ones followed the advice of the prudent ones and went to buy some oil. During their brief absence the bridegroom arrived. The prudent ones were able to accompany him and to enter the wedding feast with him. But the door was closed behind them. When the others arrived, they knocked at the door and said, “Lord, Lord, open the door for us!” and they received the reply, “In truth I tell you, I do not know you.”
• Matthew 25:13: Jesus final recommendation to all of us. The story of this parable is very simple, and the lesson is obvious: “So stay awake and watch, because you do not know either the day or the hour.” The moral of the story: do not be superficial. Look beyond the present moment, and try to discover the call of God even in the smallest things of life, even the oil which may be lacking in the small light or lamp.
• Matthew 25:1b-4: The ten virgins ready to wait for the bridegroom. The parable begins like this: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like this: ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.” It is an issue of the bridesmaids who have to accompany the bridegroom to the wedding feast. Because of this, they have to take the lamps with them, to light the way, as well as render the feast more joyful with more light. Five of them were prudent, and five were foolish. This difference is seen in the way in which they prepare themselves for the role that they have to carry out. Together with the lighted lamps, the prudent ones had taken some oil in reserve, preparing themselves in this way for anything which could happen. The foolish ones took only the lamps and they did not think to take some oil in reserve with them.
• Matthew 25:5-7: The unforeseen delay of the arrival of the bridegroom. The bridegroom was late. He had not indicated precisely the hour of his arrival. While waiting, the bridesmaids went to sleep. But the lamps continue to burn and use oil until gradually they burn out. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, there was a cry: “Look! The bridegroom! Go out and meet him!” All the bridesmaids woke up and began to prepare their lamps, which were burning out. They had to put in some of the oil they had brought in reserve so that the lamps would not burn out.
• Matthew 25:8-9: The different reactions to the delay of the bridegroom. It is only now that the foolish bridesmaids become aware that they should have brought some oil in reserve with them. They go to ask the prudent ones, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.” The prudent ones are unable to respond to this request, because at that moment what was important was not for the prudent ones to share their oil with the foolish ones, but that they be ready to accompany the bridegroom to the place of the feast. For this reason they advised them, “You had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves.”
• Matthew 25:10-12: The fate of the prudent bridesmaids and that of the foolish ones. The foolish ones followed the advice of the prudent ones and went to buy some oil. During their brief absence the bridegroom arrived. The prudent ones were able to accompany him and to enter the wedding feast with him. But the door was closed behind them. When the others arrived, they knocked at the door and said, “Lord, Lord, open the door for us!” and they received the reply, “In truth I tell you, I do not know you.”
• Matthew 25:13: Jesus final recommendation to all of us. The story of this parable is very simple, and the lesson is obvious: “So stay awake and watch, because you do not know either the day or the hour.” The moral of the story: do not be superficial. Look beyond the present moment, and try to discover the call of God even in the smallest things of life, even the oil which may be lacking in the small light or lamp.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Have you had to think about having oil
in reserve for your lamp in your life?
• What does it mean to be prepared? Is
it acceptance of God’s will, or interiority, or sacramental, or in/through
virtue, or something else, or all of that?
• It is easy with lamps – you either
have extra oil or not. How do you evaluate whether you are prepared, or what
else there is to do?
• Do you know the life of Saint Edith Stein, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross?
• Do you know the life of Saint Edith Stein, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
I will bless Yahweh at all times,
His praise continually on my lips.
I will praise Yahweh from my heart.
Let the humble hear and rejoice. (Ps 34:1-2)
His praise continually on my lips.
I will praise Yahweh from my heart.
Let the humble hear and rejoice. (Ps 34:1-2)
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