“Maranatha” – come Lord Jesus.

The wise wait in joyful anticipation, with great longing, for the advent of the Bridegroom, our Lord.

Jesus will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

  

＊＊＊ 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. 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 (26) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

1 Thessalonians 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 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:

"Truly I do not know you! So stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Lectio Divina

Read: Paul comforts the Thessalonians by assuring them that those who die in faith will live forever in Jesus. The first reading sings of a woman's Wisdom who will always be near those who seek her. Jesus tells the parable of the wise bridesmaids who take care to prepare for the Bridegroom's arrival.

 

Reflect: Wisdom allows us to recognize God's plan and discern God's presence. To be wise by the world's standards is to have knowledge and show good judgment. To be wise by God's standards is to know God's will and act accordingly. That is how we prepare for the arrival of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

The gift of wisdom helps us to conform our lives to God's will, so that we can be with the Lord forever. All of our earthly life is preparation for the world to come. We do not know how long our earthly lives will be or the day on which they will end. Yet we do not grieve the end of this life because we know that Jesus has prepared a place for us that is beyond our ability to imagine, where we will see God face to face.

 

Pray: Lord, grant us the wisdom to know your will.

 

Act: Pray for the dead who have no one to pray for them.