Friday, September 1, 2006
21st Week in Ordinary Time


LOOKING FORWARD TO THE LORD'S COMING

1 Cor 1:17-25; Ps 33:1-2,4-5,10-11; Matthew 25:1-13


Daily Gospel

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, source of all wisdom,
you invite us to be wise
and to encounter your Son
with burning lamps in our hands.
Help us to be prepared to meet him
in the events of daily life
and in people around us,
that we may enter with him
into your feast that lasts for ever.

Liturgy of the Word

Introduction to the First Reading
       Paul knows that the Christians of Corinth are not only divided in their loyalties but are also influenced by the Greek tendency to philosophize about everything. But their salvation, their true wisdom lies in Christ, who saved them by the cross.

First Reading: 1 Cor 1:17-25

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..

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 33:1-2,4-5,10-11

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.

Introduction to Gospel Reading
      The key point of the parable of the wise and the foolish virgins in today's gospel is not so much vigilance as foresight, readiness for the kingdom, and only then, consequently, vigilance.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus said to his disciples, "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."

Commentary

The gospel is preached with focus on the cross, though it appears to be complete absurdity to those who do not believe. This is wisdom for God. To save us through obedience even unto death on the cross and the crucified is the only wisdom we must study and imitate. It seems often in this year B, that it is one long continuous call to conversion, a long Lent. But it is the core of baptism and the gospel. Now we get to decide if we're wise or foolish. Do we have oil (Scripture/Spirit) in our lamps or are they empty? Does God know us or are we going to be left outside the door?

General Intercessions

- For our pope, bishops and priests, that they may constantly remind people of the eternal dimension of life and lead us with wisdom, patience and vigilance, we pray:

- For those discouraged and wounded in life, that they may not grow bitter and that from our presence and friendship they may draw fresh strength and hope, we pray:

- For our beloved dead, that they may live in the joy of the Lord, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

God, our Father,
you invite us all
to the feast meal of your Son.
Let the bread and the wine
of this eucharistic celebration
be the sign of the great feast
you have begun with us on earth
and our strength to go all the way
to its full celebration in heaven,
where your Son lives with you for ever.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God, in your kingdom
to wait does not mean
to be bored and inactive,
but to go out and meet your Son
and to build the future with him.
Do not allow any of us
to remain apathetic to a fellow human being
who waits for a word or gesture
of sympathy or encouragement,
for he is your Son to us.
Let your Son stay with us
to make your kingdom live and grow
until you complete it for ever.

Blessing

Be ready for the coming of the Lord, always. We know what we are waiting for: the Lord, full life, great happiness. No fear then. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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