＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Wisdom of Solomon 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. 13 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.

 

Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (2b)

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

1Thessalonians 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 ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 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 careless while the others were sensible.

The careless bridesmaids took their lamps as they were and did not bring extra oil. But those who were sensible, brought with their lamps flasks of oil. 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 careless 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 both you and us. You had better go to those who sell and buy for yourselves.’ They were out buying oil when the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him to the wed­ding feast, and the doors were shut.

 Later the rest of the 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.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Read:

Psalm 63, our Responsorial Psalm, expresses well the theme of this Sunday –longing for God. The truly wise know that the world cannot offer anything truly lasting and valuable. The only true treasure is God, to be with God, to be counted among the Blessed Ones (remember November 1).

It is wise to remember that we will all die and those who have remained faithful will, at the resurrection of the dead, will rise to meet the Lord(2^nd reading).

Reflect:

We are all Virgins! We could either be wise or foolish virgins! The wise are vigilant, watchful. The wise wait in joyful anticipation, with great longing, for the advent of the Bridegroom, our Lord.

Pray:

The prayer of the early church was “Maranatha” – come Lord Jesus. Those who long for God are ever watchful, and like the many Saints,, pine for communion with God. Like St. Augustine we must pray “our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

Act:

The challenge for us this week is to consider: am I looking forward to the time when I shall be with all the Saints in heaven or have I become so contented with life in the world so that I have forgotten my eternal destiny? Do I long for God?