by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Aug 28, 2021 | Evangelium
Sunday
29
August
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary TIme
Psalter II
St. John the Baptist
Green
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 85: 3, 5
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of mercy to all who call to you.
Collect
God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8
Moses said to the people: ‘Now, Israel, take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them, that you may have life and may enter and take possession of the land that the Lord the God of your fathers is giving you. You must add nothing to what I command you, and take nothing from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God just as I lay them down for you. Keep them, observe them, and they will demonstrate to the peoples your wisdom and understanding. When they come to know of all these laws they will exclaim, “No other people is as wise and prudent as this great nation.” And indeed, what great nation is there that has its gods so near as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? And what great nation is there that has laws and customs to match this whole Law that I put before you today?’
Psalm 14(15):2-5
R/ The just will live in the presence of the Lord.
1. Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain? He who walks without fault; he who acts with justice and speaks the truth from his heart; he who does not slander with his tongue.
2. He who does no wrong to his brother, who casts no slur on his neighbour, who holds the godless in disdain, but honours those who fear the Lord.
3. He who keeps his pledge, come what may; who takes no interest on a loan and accepts no bribes against the innocent. Such a man will stand firm for ever.
Second reading: James 1:17-18,21-22,27
It is all that is good, everything that is perfect, which is given us from above; it comes down from the Father of all light; with him there is no such thing as alteration, no shadow of a change. By his own choice he made us his children by the message of the truth so that we should be a sort of first-fruits of all that he had created. Accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you and can save your souls. But you must do what the word tells you, and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves. Pure, unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God our Father is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows when they need it, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.
Gospel Acclamation: cf.Jn6:63,68
Alleluia, alleluia! Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture: This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless, the doctrines they teach are only human regulations. You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ He called the people to him again and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May this sacred offering, O Lord, confer on us always the blessing of salvation, that what it celebrates in mystery it may accomplish in power. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 30: 20
How great is the goodness, Lord, that you keep for those who fear you.
Prayer after Communion
Renewed by this bread from the heavenly table, we beseech you, Lord, that, being the food of charity, it may confirm our hearts and stir us to serve you in our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The parties to a contract are not allowed to void contractual provisions or to add provisions except by mutual consent. Neither party is allowed to make changes unilaterally. God could not have allowed the Israelites to make any changes to His Commandments because everything that He does is perfect as seen in today’s Second Reading. The reward for keeping the Lord’s Commandments for the Israelites was their entry into the Promised Land and for us Christians our salvation. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that it is what is inside a person, like the love for one another, that counts, not what is outside. Engaging in ritualistic practices does not matter, but listening attentively to God’s Word and practicing it is what really matters.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Aug 27, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
samedi
28
Aout
Saint Augustin, évêque et docteur de l’Eglise
Blanc
Augustin (354-430), dont la figure domine la pensée chrétienne, fut d’abord un rhéteur africain dissolu ; la prière de sa mère, Monique, obtint la grâce de sa conversion qui fit de lui un cœur brûlant de charité. Cette charité qui anima son labeur pastoral, notamment dans la lutte contre les hérésies, lui inspira la maxime fameuse ‘’Aime et fais ce que tu veux’’. Baptisé à Milan par saint Ambroise, Augustin devint l’aide, puis le successeur de l’évêque d’Hippone. La place d’Augustin dans l’histoire de l’Eglise tient surtout à son œuvre théologique qui lui a mérité le titre de ‘’Docteur de la grâce’’
Antienne d’ouverture : Si 15, 5
Dans son Eglise, le Seigneur a donné la parole à l’évêque saint Augustin ; il l’a rempli de l’esprit de sagesse et d’intelligence, il l’a revêtu de gloire.
Prière d’ouverture
Renouvelle, Seigneur, dans ton Église l’Esprit dont tu as comblé l’évêque saint Augustin ; Pour que, remplis de ce même Esprit, nous n’ayons soif que de toi, source de la vraie sagesse, et ne cherchions que toi, auteur de l’éternel amour.
Première lecture : 1 Th 4, 9-11
Frères, pour ce qui est de l’amour fraternel, vous n’avez pas besoin que je vous en parle dans ma lettre, car vous avez appris vous-mêmes de Dieu à vous aimer les uns les autres, et c’est ce que vous faites envers tous les frères de la province de Macédoine. Frères, nous vous encourageons à progresser encore : ayez à cœur de vivre calmement, de vous occuper chacun de vos propres affaires et de travailler de vos mains comme nous vous l’avons ordonné.
Psaume : 97 (98), 1, 7-8, 9
R/ Il vient, le Seigneur, gouverner les peuples avec droiture. (Cf. Ps 97, 9)
1. Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, car il a fait des merveilles; par son bras très saint, par sa main puissante, il s’est assuré la victoire.
2. Que résonnent la mer et sa richesse, le monde et tous ses habitants ; que les fleuves battent des mains, que les montagnes chantent leur joie.
3. Acclamez le Seigneur, car il vient pour gouverner la terre, pour gouverner le monde avec justice et les peuples avec droiture !
Acclamation :
Alléluia. Alléluia. Heureux qui se plaît dans ta Loi, Seigneur : il donne du fruit en son temps. Alléluia.
(Ps 1, 2-3)
Évangile : Mt 25, 14-30
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples cette parabole : « Un homme qui partait en voyage appela ses serviteurs et leur confia ses biens. À l’un il remit une somme de cinq talents, à un autre deux talents, au troisième un seul talent, à chacun selon ses capacités. Puis il partit. Aussitôt, celui qui avait reçu les cinq talents s’en alla pour les faire valoir et en gagna cinq autres. De même, celui qui avait reçu deux talents en gagna deux autres. Mais celui qui n’en avait reçu qu’un alla creuser la terre et cacha l’argent de son maître. Longtemps après, le maître de ces serviteurs revint et il leur demanda des comptes. Celui qui avait reçu cinq talents s’approcha, présenta cinq autres talents et dit : “Seigneur, tu m’as confié cinq talents ; voilà, j’en ai gagné cinq autres.” Son maître lui déclara : “Très bien, serviteur bon et fidèle, tu as été fidèle pour peu de choses, je t’en confierai beaucoup ; entre dans la joie de ton seigneur.” Celui qui avait reçu deux talents s’approcha aussi et dit : “Seigneur, tu m’as confié deux talents ; voilà, j’en ai gagné deux autres.” Son maître lui déclara : “Très bien, serviteur bon et fidèle, tu as été fidèle pour peu de choses, je t’en confierai beaucoup ; entre dans la joie de ton seigneur.” Celui qui avait reçu un seul talent s’approcha aussi et dit : “Seigneur, je savais que tu es un homme dur : tu moissonnes là où tu n’as pas semé, tu ramasses là où tu n’as pas répandu le grain. J’ai eu peur, et je suis allé cacher ton talent dans la terre. Le voici. Tu as ce qui t’appartient.” Son maître lui répliqua : “Serviteur mauvais et paresseux, tu savais que je moissonne là où je n’ai pas semé, que je ramasse le grain là où je ne l’ai pas répandu. Alors, il fallait placer mon argent à la banque ; et, à mon retour, je l’aurais retrouvé avec les intérêts. Enlevez-lui donc son talent et donnez-le à celui qui en a dix. Car à celui qui a, on donnera encore, et il sera dans l’abondance ; mais celui qui n’a rien se verra enlever même ce qu’il a. Quant à ce serviteur bon à rien, jetez-le dans les ténèbres extérieures ; là, il y aura des pleurs et des grincements de dents !” »
Prière sur les offrandes
En célébrant le mémorial de notre salut, nous te supplions, Seigneur : que le sacrement de ton amour soit pour nous le signe de l’unité et le lien de la charité. Par Jésus.
Antienne De communion : Mt 23, 10,8
« Vous n’avez qu’un seul Maître, le Christ ; vous êtes tous frères », dit le Seigneur.
Prière après la communion :
Que la participation à la table du Christ nous sanctifie, Seigneur ; afin que, membres de son corps, nous devenions vraiment ce que nous avons reçu. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Tu as été fidèle dans des petites choses et tu le seras également dans les grandes. Les serviteurs fidèles en effet trouvent grâce auprès de leur maître pour avoir répondu positivement aux attentes, donc à la volonté de ce dernier. Leur attitude est récompensée par la gratitude du maître et des mesures accompagnantes. Dieu élève celui qui vie selon sa volonté ; volonté qui se résume en l’amour et le service aux autres. Dieu nous a offert des dons qui doivent contribuer à notre sanctification. La sanctification consiste évidemment à vivre selon la volonté de Dieu dans l’usage des talents qu’il nous a donnés. C’est par exemple notre sourire, nos conseils, notre générosité, notre temps et notre amitié. Ainsi Dieu nous donne chaque jour la possibilité de nous sanctifier et de recevoir en lui la vie éternelle.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Aug 27, 2021 | Evangelium
SATURday
28
August
St. Augustine of Hippo
(354 – 430)
White
He was born in Thagaste in Africa of a Berber family. He had a brilliant legal and academic career. At length, through the prayers of his mother, and the teaching of St. Ambrose of Milan, he was converted back to Christianity. He wrote an enormous number of works. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Boniface VIII in 1308.
Entrance Antiphon: Sir 15: 5
In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory.
Collect
Renew in your Church, we pray, O Lord, the spirit with which you endowed your Bishop Saint Augustine that, filled with the same spirit, we may thirst for you, the sole fount of true wisdom, and seek you, the author of heavenly love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
As for loving our brothers, there is no need for anyone to write to you about that, since you have learnt from God yourselves to love one another, and in fact this is what you are doing with all the brothers throughout the whole of Macedonia. However, we do urge you, brothers, to go on making even greater progress and to make a point of living quietly, attending to your own business and earning your living, just as we told you to.
Psalm 97 (98):1, 7-9
R/ The Lord comes to rule the people with fairness.
1. Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation.
2. Let the sea and all within it, thunder; the world, and all its peoples. Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy.
3. At the presence of the Lord: for he comes, he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with fairness.
Gospel Acclamation: Ph 2:15-16
Alleluia, alleluia! You will shine in the world like bright stars because you are offering it the word of life.Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30+
Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of Heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out. The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. “Sir,” he said, “you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.” ‘His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.” Next the man with the two talents came forward. “Sir,” he said, “you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.” Last came forward the man who had the one talent. “Sir,” said he, “I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back.” But his master answered him, “You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have recovered my capital with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the five talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away. As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.”’
Prayer over the Offerings
Celebrating the memorial of our salvation, we humbly beseech your mercy, O Lord, that this Sacrament of your loving kindness may be for us the sign of unity and the bond of charity. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 23: 10, 8
Thus says the Lord: You have but one teacher, the Christ, and you are all brothers.
Prayer after Communion
May partaking of Christ’s table sanctify us, we pray, O Lord, that, being made members of his Body, we may become what we have received. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today’s Gospel parable speaks of the Master’s trust in his servants. While going away he leaves his money with his servants to use as they think best. While there are no strings attached, the master obviously tests to see if his workers would be industrious and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to them. The master rewards those who are industrious and faithful and punishes those who sit by idly and do nothing with his money. The parable’s essence lies in the servants’ conception of responsibility. Each servant entrusted with the master’s money is faithful up to a certain point. However, the servant who buries his master’s money is irresponsible. In Christian living no one can stand still for long. We either get more or we lose what we have. We either advance towards God or we slip back into evil.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Aug 26, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
vendredi
27
Aout
Sainte Monique
Blanc
Cette chrétienne d’Afrique romaine, qui obtint par trente ans de patience dévouement la conversion de son mari, païen violent et débauché, avait pour fils aîné Augustin, dont l’inconduite la désolait. Monique (332-387) s’entendue assurer par l’évêque de Milan, saint Ambroise :’’Il n’est pas possible que le fils de tant de larmes périsse’’. Sa prière obtint en effet la conversion d’Augustin, entre les bras de qui elle mourut à Ostie.
Antienne d’ouverture
Sainte Monique fut une femme pleine de sagesse qui sut édifier sa maison et, dans le respect du Seigneur, suivre le droit chemin.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu très bon, réconfort de ceux qui pleurent, tu accueillais avec amour les larmes de sainte Monique pour la conversion de son fils Augustin; accorde-nous, à la prière de la mère et du fils, de savoir pleurer nos péchés pour obtenir de toi le pardon. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : 1 Th 4, 1-8
Frères, vous avez appris de nous comment il faut vous conduire pour plaire à Dieu ; et c’est ainsi que vous vous conduisez déjà. Faites donc de nouveaux progrès, nous vous le demandons, oui, nous vous en prions dans le Seigneur Jésus. Vous savez bien quelles instructions nous vous avons données de la part du Seigneur Jésus. La volonté de Dieu, c’est que vous viviez dans la sainteté, en vous abstenant de la débauche, et en veillant chacun à rester maître de son corps dans un esprit de sainteté et de respect, sans vous laisser entraîner par la convoitise comme font les païens qui ne connaissent pas Dieu. Dans ce domaine, il ne faut pas agir au détriment de son frère ni lui causer du tort, car de tout cela le Seigneur fait justice, comme nous vous l’avons déjà dit et attesté. En effet, Dieu nous a appelés, non pas pour que nous restions dans l’impureté, mais pour que nous vivions dans la sainteté. Ainsi donc celui qui rejette mes instructions, ce n’est pas un homme qu’il rejette, c’est Dieu lui-même, lui qui vous donne son Esprit Saint.
Psaume : 96 (97), 1-2, 5-6, 11-12
R/ Que le Seigneur soit votre joie, hommes justes ! (Ps 96, 12a)
1. Le Seigneur est roi ! Exulte la terre! Joie pour les îles sans nombre! Ténèbres et nuée l’entourent, justice et droit sont l’appui de son trône.
2. Les montagnes fondaient comme cire devant le Seigneur, devant le Maître de toute la terre. Les cieux ont proclamé sa justice, et tous les peuples ont vu sa gloire.
3. Une lumière est semée pour le juste, et pour le cœur simple, une joie. Que le Seigneur soit votre joie, hommes justes ; rendez grâce en rappelant son nom très saint.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Restez éveillés et priez en tout temps : ainsi vous pourrez vous tenir debout devant le Fils de l’homme. Alléluia. (cf. Lc 21, 36)
Évangile : Mathieu 25, 1-13
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples cette parabole : « Le royaume des Cieux sera comparable à dix jeunes filles invitées à des noces, qui prirent leur lampe pour sortir à la rencontre de l’époux. Cinq d’entre elles étaient insouciantes, et cinq étaient prévoyantes : les insouciantes avaient pris leur lampe sans emporter d’huile, tandis que les prévoyantes avaient pris, avec leurs lampes, des flacons d’huile. Comme l’époux tardait, elles s’assoupirent toutes et s’endormirent. Au milieu de la nuit, il y eut un cri : “Voici l’époux! Sortez à sa rencontre. Alors toutes ces jeunes filles se réveillèrent et se mirent à préparer leur lampe. Les insouciantes demandèrent aux prévoyantes : “Donnez-nous de votre huile, car nos lampes s’éteignent.” Les prévoyantes leur répondirent : “Jamais cela ne suffira pour nous et pour vous, allez plutôt chez les marchands vous en acheter.” Pendant qu’elles allaient en acheter, l’époux arriva. Celles qui étaient prêtes entrèrent avec lui dans la salle des noces, et la porte fut fermée. Plus tard, les autres jeunes filles arrivèrent à leur touret dirent : “Seigneur, Seigneur, ouvre-nous !” Il leur répondit : “Amen, je vous le dis : je ne vous connais pas.” Veillez donc car vous ne savez ni le jour ni l’heure. »
Prière sur les offrandes
En te présentant, Seigneur, ce sacrifice pour fêter la mémoire de sainte Monique, nous t’adressons notre prière : qu’avec ton pardon il nous apporte le salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion
Le Royaume des cieux est comparable à un négociant qui recherche des perles fines. Ayant trouvé une perle de grande valeur, il va vendre tout ce qu’il possède, et il achète la perle.
Prière après la communion
Que cette eucharistie, Dieu tout-puissant, nous apporte lumière et ferveur en cette fête de sainte Monique : que nos cœurs brûlent toujours du désir de la sainteté, et que notre vie se passe à faire le bien. Par Jésus.
Méditation
La folie des cinq jeunes filles insensées consiste à avoir des lampes et ne pas pouvoir en profiter à cause du manque d’huile. Nous chrétiens mus par la légèreté, nous sommes semblables à ces jeunes filles qui ont reçu le Christ par le baptême mais ne brillent pas dans le monde par la mise en pratique de sa Parole.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Aug 26, 2021 | Evangelium
27
August
St. Monica
(331 – 387)
White
She was born at Thagaste in Africa of a Christian family. She was the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo, who when young was intelligent but weak in morals. With many tears she prayed unceasingly to God for his conversion and her prayers were answered shortly before she died.
Entrance Antiphon: Prov 31: 30, 28
The woman who fears the Lord will herself be praised. Her children have called her most blessed, her husband has sung her praises.
Collect
O God, who console the sorrowful and who mercifully accepted the motherly tears of Saint Monica for the conversion of her son Augustine, grant us, through the intercession of them both, that we may bitterly regret our sins and find the grace of your pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Brothers, we urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus to make more and more progress in the kind of life that you are meant to live: the life that God wants, as you learnt from us, and as you are already living it. You have not forgotten the instructions we gave you on the authority of the Lord Jesus. What God wants is for you all to be holy. He wants you to keep away from fornication, and each one of you to know how to use the body that belongs to him in a way that is holy and honourable, not giving way to selfish lust like the pagans who do not know God. He wants nobody at all ever to sin by taking advantage of a brother in these matters; the Lord always punishes sins of that sort, as we told you before and assured you. We have been called by God to be holy, not to be immoral; in other words, anyone who objects is not objecting to a human authority, but to God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Psalm 96 (97):1-2, 5-6, 10-12
R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.
1. The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, let all the coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his raiment; his throne, justice and right.
2. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory.
3. The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the souls of his saints; he sets them free from the wicked.
4. Light shines forth for the just and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice, you just, in the Lord; give glory to his holy name.
Gospel Acclamation : cf. Ps 129:5
Alleluia, alleluia! My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus told this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, “The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him.” At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, “Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out.” But they replied, “There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves.” They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us.” But he replied, “I tell you solemnly, I do not know you.” So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.’
Prayer over the Offerings
We bring you these sacrificial gifts, O Lord, to commemorate Saint Monica humbly entreating that they may bestow on us both pardon and salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 13: 45-46
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant who travels in search of fine pearls and who, on finding one of great price, sold everything and bought it.
Prayer after Communion
May the working of this divine Sacrament enlighten and inflame us, almighty God, on this feast day of Saint Monica that we may be ever fervent with holy desires and abound in good works. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Parable of the Ten Virgin in today’s Gospel teaches us that the Son of Man will come as a surprise, when people least expect (Mt 24:44). It can be today or tomorrow. This is why the parable’s last warning to the Ten Virgins is, “Keep watch!” The ten bridesmaids should be prepared for anything that might happen. The 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 parable’s moral is that we should not be superficial. We should look beyond God’s present moment and discover God’s call even in the smallest things of life; even the oil which may be lacking in our small lamps.
