Year A – deacon rudy's notes

November 20, 2020November 19, 2020

Christ the King

Jesus holding a globe with puzzle pieces for continents

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The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Mass Readings

First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Responsorial: Psalm 23:1-3, 5-6
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111520.cfm
https://deaconrudysnotes.org/

My brothers and sisters, what does it take to be saved? The answer to that question is what today’s Gospel is all about! If you are the type of person who needs rubrics for the judgment we will all face, then today is your day! In today’s Gospel, Jesus sorts the puzzle of humanity.

We begin by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. As disciples, we set out on a great quest for holiness marked by selfless love. We also try to help others find their hope in Christ Jesus. But how do we know we are disciples? What separates the good work we do from any other NGO?

Jesus says, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me,’” (Matthew 25:31-36)

Now the disciples listening are shocked and they ask him when was he hungry or thirsty or naked or in the hospital or in prison. How does Jesus respond? He says, “Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me,” (Matthew 25:45)

And then he ends by saying, “And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life,” (Matthew 25:46).

That’s it. No more and no less. This is the rubric against which you and I will be judged. Notice what he didn’t say? Jesus doesn’t say you be judged by how often you attended mass or how many times you went to confession or how many times you went to adoration or how many times you prayed at all, let alone the rosary. How is that possible?

Let’s break it down.

What does it take to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned?

Look at how Mother Teresa’s ministry began. Twenty years after she joined the Sisters of Loreto, she began teaching poor children whose families couldn’t afford to send them to school. Recognizing the dignity of these poor children, she tried to equip them with the basic tools they needed to break the cycle of poverty. Later, she began to collect dying people from the side of the road – literally dying people thrown in ditches alongside of the road – and she ministered to them through their death. She gave them clean beds to rest. She bathed them. She tended to their wounds. For her, there was no such thing as rationing healthcare! No life, no matter how near to death, is unworthy of attention! Why did she do all of this? She recognized the dignity of the dying person, and she tried to help them meet their maker in peace.

That’s why for centuries the Catholic church has run so many food pantries, hospitals and schools. It’s like we discussed last week about the ART of social justice. We meet a person’s immediate need. Through our acts of charity, we help the person appreciate their own dignity and self-worth. We try to give them the tools they need to live a life of dignity. And we advocate for changes to prevent people from becoming trapped in poverty.

What does it take for me to help the poor, the sick and imprisoned? I have to be willing share what I have – my money, my time and my talent. I can’t outsource my obligation by saying my taxes go to help the poor. Too many of our government programs do not affirm human dignity. Too many programs trap people in poverty or worse dismiss their lives as worthless deciding who can be aborted and who can and cannot receive healthcare. So, no, we cannot rely on government to fulfill our obligation under today’s Gospel.

If we find it difficult to help others, then we need to ask what is standing in our way. Are we placing money, prestige, power above God? If we are not careful, our possessions become a god. Scripture tells us, you cannot serve both God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

But it’s not just money or possessions that can stand in our way. It can also be hubris, right? There is the intellectual movement poising thought in our educational systems from our universities to our primary and secondary schools that denies the existence of God or any notion of objective truth. To such people, helping the needy isn’t about recognizing the God-given dignity and worth of the human person.

If I can’t see God in the needy, then how can I possibly ever feed them, quench their thirst, clothe them, visit them when they are sick or in prison. If I can’t do any of these things out of love, then have I really accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior?

The great challenge of today’s Gospel isn’t about opening up our pocketbooks. It’s about helping us discern our relationship with God. Do I have a healthy relationship with my time, my money, my talents and my thoughts? I am not saved by my works, but my salvation is evidenced through the way I live my life.

But Satan is clever! We don’t need black Friday sales to remind us of all the comforts and luxuries offered by the world. How do we resist?

My brothers and sisters, Christ our King provides! Christ gave us the Church and the sacraments to nourish our minds, our hearts and our bodies. Why do we go to mass every week? Not to check a box on a form. No! We go to mass every week and we receive the sacraments and we pray often to worship God and to ask for the strength to resist temptation and to help us see all the ways God has graced this world. And these graces help us on our quest to be holy disciples who, out of selfless love for Jesus, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned.

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, how would you describe your relationship to your possessions or your opinion? Are these more important to you than God?
Second, as Advent begins, what sorts of things can you do the help shift your attention to God present in the needy?

Doing our homework will help us live our lives of salvation. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. JPG file.

Notes: Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

References:
1. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T., SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Christ as Lord and King: 440, 446-451, 668-672, 783, 786, 908, 2105, 2628
2. Jesus and the poor: 544, 1373
3. Christ as Judge: 678-79, 1001, 1038-1041
4. Works of mercy: 2447
5. “The Kingdom Come:” 2816-2821

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112220.cfm
Lectionary: 160

Reading 1
Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Thus says the Lord GOD:
I myself will look after and tend my sheep.
As a shepherd tends his flock
when he finds himself among his scattered sheep,
so will I tend my sheep.
I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered
when it was cloudy and dark.
I myself will pasture my sheep;
I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD.
The lost I will seek out,
the strayed I will bring back,
the injured I will bind up,
the sick I will heal,
but the sleek and the strong I will destroy,
shepherding them rightly.

As for you, my sheep, says the Lord GOD,
I will judge between one sheep and another,
between rams and goats.

Responsorial
Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Reading 2
1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
When everything is subjected to him,
then the Son himself will also be subjected
to the one who subjected everything to him,
so that God may be all in all.

Alleluia
Mark 11:9, 10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
‘Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life.”

November 13, 2020November 12, 2020

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of young boy wearing hat with megaphone to mouth

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Responsorial: Psalm 128:1-5
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111520.cfm
https://deaconrudysnotes.org/

Today’s readings give us some fascinating insight into the work required of us as disciples of Jesus Christ. There are two aspects of that work which I want to discuss today.

First, we begin with the second reading from 1 Thessalonians. I think this is an important passage for us to consider because it speaks about the end times. St. Paul is clear that there will come an end, but we do not know when that will happen. So, we need to be prepared, he tells us. But the implication is that we shouldn’t be so stressed that we become paralyzed by our fear and worry. I think that is an essential message for us today.

As I prepare my homily, there is so much uncertainty in the US presidential election. We can look at the increase in conflicts around the world and natural disasters and think, “well, this is it, isn’t it!” And yet, if we scan history, we find many points in time filled with war, terror, natural disasters. But the world kept moving forward. Will the world end? Yes, we believe that to be true based on scripture. But we cannot allow ourselves to be so totally paralyzed with anxiety that we do nothing. When we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by anxiety, anxiety becomes the center of thoughts and perhaps even our world. In a way, anxiety becomes like a god.

But we disciples of Christ Jesus know the rest of the story. Jesus rose from the dead on Easter, overcoming death itself. Death has no hold over us, and that should give us some reassurance. So, what to do in the meantime?

We work! Let’s look at that interesting reading from Proverbs today about the “worthy wife.” This is an important description for all of us! The passage describes an industrious and creative person who is robed in strength and dignity. Through this person’s hard work, they can care for their family and help the needy.

This idea that dignity flows from work – physical labor and intellectual labor – is an often-overlooked element in Catholic Social Teaching. Of course, we meet the need before us. But Catholic Social Teaching asks us to reflect on the reasons behind the need. We advocate to transform the circumstances, so it doesn’t happen again. Basically, we might give someone a fish today, but we need to teach that person how to fish so that they can feed themselves tomorrow. We act, reflect, and transform. This is called the “ART” of Catholic Social Teaching: act, reflect, transform.

This is a very misunderstood part of Catholic Social Justice. Catholic Social Justice is not about socialism or communism or Marxism, or for that matter, not about fascism either. Why does the church approach social justice in the ART way? Because as our first reading from Proverbs reminds us, dignity flows from our work. Catholic Social Justice is about protecting the dignity of the human person and about promoting human flourishing. In other words, we need to help people become the best version of themselves – to be what God called us to be in this world. You might also think of this as following God’s will for your life. If you follow God’s plan, then you will flourish – not to be confused with monetary wealth and success. So, we work toward our flourishing, and we offer help to those who need some help. That’s very important. We’ll speak more about that next week when we discuss the rubrics for salvation.

Actual work is essential for us – both physical work and intellectual work. Our dignity flows from work, and that helps us flourish. What’s the second aspect of work I mentioned at the beginning? We see that in today’s Gospel message. In this interesting passage, some very wealthy man entrusted his servants with these “talents” and said he would return to collect in the future.

One way we can look at this passage is that God gave each one of us specific gifts and blessings. We disciples received the gift of faith. We received the Good News of Jesus Christ! The work of disciples is to share the Good News – the great story of Jesus with everyone! Another way to say it is that our goal is to get to heaven and to bring someone with us! We can’t just hoard the Good News for ourselves and bury it away.

Why?

Because the Gospel says the owner, let’s call him Jesus, will return. And when Jesus returns, he is going to ask us what we’ve done with the Good News – our gift of faith. Now, different disciples seem to have received a different capacity to share the Good News. Some clergy and laypeople are online, or speak at conferences, or are prolific writers. Others share the Good News in their roles through the parish. And still, others do their part to spread the Good News among their families and friends. To each is given a measure of faith, and each of us is called to respond in kind.

But if we don’t share the faith, if we make up excuses like “I’m too shy” or “I’m embarrassed” or “I’m not allowed to discuss religion,” then we act like the wicked and lazy servant who is cast outside where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth! (MT 25:26, 30)

My brothers and sisters, if we believe that what we receive in the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus, then it should change you, and it should change me! We are strengthened by the grace flowing through God’s creation and, in particular, through the Eucharist and the sacraments. God’s grace helps us to not only live as disciples in a world filled with so many luxurious distractions but also so that we can bring the hope of Jesus Christ to all the anxious people out there who aren’t sure what to make of these crazy times.

Homework! Transformed by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I ask you to reflect on the following two questions: First, how do my fears keep me from living the life God calls me to live? Second, how am I using my gifts to lead others to Jesus Christ?

Doing our homework will help us be the good and faithful disciples we are called to be. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. Sharing the Good News. JPG file.

Notes: Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

References:
1. Eubank, Nathan. First and Second Thessalonians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2019. Kindle.
2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Our works manifested at the Last Judgment, 1038-41
2. Keeping busy as we await the Lord’s return, 1048-50
3. Marriage in the order of creation, 1603-05
4. Different gifts for different people, 1936-37
5. Our merits for good works come from God’s goodness, 2006-11
6. Dignity of woman, 2331, 2334

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111520.cfm
Lectionary: 157

Reading 1
Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
When one finds a worthy wife,
her value is far beyond pearls.
Her husband, entrusting his heart to her,
has an unfailing prize.
She brings him good, and not evil,
all the days of her life.
She obtains wool and flax
and works with loving hands.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her fingers ply the spindle.
She reaches out her hands to the poor,
and extends her arms to the needy.
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her a reward for her labors,
and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Responsorial
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. (cf. 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Reading 2
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters,
you have no need for anything to be written to you.
For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come
like a thief at night.
When people are saying, “Peace and security,”
then sudden disaster comes upon them,
like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,
and they will not escape.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,
for that day to overtake you like a thief.
For all of you are children of the light
and children of the day.
We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.

Alleluia
John 15:4A, 5B
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in me as I remain in you, says the Lord.
Whoever remains in me bears much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master’s money.

“After a long time
the master of those servants came back
and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents came forward
bringing the additional five.
He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
‘Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.’
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”

Matthew 25:14-15, 19-21

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.

November 6, 2020November 6, 2020

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Wisdom 6:12-16
Responsorial: Psalm 63:2-8
Reading 2: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110820.cfm
https://deaconrudysnotes.org/

In our responsorial, we cry out, “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.” Isn’t that true for so many of us. We thirst for God. How many people do we know who do not believe in God or do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior go around wandering in search of some higher power or trying to tap into or somehow be in touch with the universe. Our in-person and online bookstores are filled with books about spirituality. There is a thirst for the transcendent. Especially in these crazy times! People seem anxious and a bit on edge, and I’m not just talking about the US presidential election.

My brothers and sisters, I have Good News! Today we are reminded that God is looking for us! We don’t need to go off and try to find God. God seeks us! Just like Wisdom, who in anticipation of our quest is waiting for us, so too does St. Paul reminds us that we shouldn’t grieve like nonbelievers because Jesus is coming back. We have hope! Isn’t that awesome? So many people spend their lives trying to find God, but it’s God who is looking for us. It’s like the story of the prodigal son; it is the father who runs into the field to hug his son.

Or consider the story about the shepherd and the lost sheep. The shepherd leaves the 99 to find the one who is missing. Awesome! And today, from our first reading, Wisdom “is readily perceived by those who love her” (Wis 6:12). “She hastens to make herself know in anticipation” (Wis 6:13), meaning before you can imagine her, she’s there. “Whoever watches for her at dawn…shall find her sitting by his gate” (Wis 6:14). God’s Wisdom is waiting for us!

St. Paul tells us we shouldn’t be grieving like nonbelievers. They grieve over what they lost. But our faith in Jesus that he is coming means that we are all united in the Kingdom – those believers who have passed away, those believers here today, and those believers yet to be born.

It’s an awesome message! But wait! There’s more!

Jesus tells us the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Five of the virgins have extra oil for their lamps. They are prepared. The other five are not ready, and they leave, and while they are distracted, they miss out on the wedding feast.

This really gives us some great insight into Scripture.

God is constantly looking for us. God has given us a grace-soaked world. This world and everything we have is a blessing! But so many of us are unsatisfied. We are constantly looking for something – maybe it’s more money, or more stuff, or pleasure. Let’s call these our attachments. In fact, we fill our lives with so much of the stuff – both physically and emotionally – that we accumulate in our quest to fill what’s missing in our lives that our view of the world around us is obscured.

We might miss out on God’s presence or God’s grace because we’re constantly looking somewhere out there for that one thing to give meaning or purpose to our lives. We might miss out – we miss out in God’s grace in our children’s laughter or our spouse’s love or our pet, who just wants to cuddle with us.

While we’re out like the five virgins searching in the marketplace, we miss seeing the bridegroom who was already here with us the whole time, and the door is sealed. If we are not careful, we will find ourselves on the outside! Only then will we realize what’s happened. We knock and what will Jesus tell us? “I do not know you” (Matthew 25:12).

Whoa! Okay, what do I need to do then? Well, there are a few points of order we need to know. First, God will never force himself on us. We need to accept God. Second, we don’t need to go on some great quest to find God. We need to be open to God present in the world. Third, we need to be prepared and ready for Jesus. How do we do that? All we need is to be disciples of Christ Jesus. That means we need to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, grow in our faith, and go out into the world sharing the Good News.

I know, it sounds too simple, right? Well, perhaps, but we need to make some preparations, which leads us to homework!

First, we need to become aware of our attachments. What things might distract us?
Second, we need to work on being grateful for the gifts we already have.
Third, the next time we go to pray, maybe we try to be still and quiet, then invite Jesus who is knocking on my door to come into my heart.

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. Tunnel of Money. JPG file.

Notes: Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. A time of watching and waiting, 671-72
2. The Church as bride, 796
3. Resurrection of the body, 988-1019
4. Vigilant waiting for the Lord’s return, 1036, 2612
5. Virginity for the kingdom, 1618-20

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110820.cfm
Lectionary: 154

Reading 1
Wisdom 6:12-16
Resplendent and unfading is wisdom,
and she is readily perceived by those who love her,
and found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire;
Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed,
for he shall find her sitting by his gate.
For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence,
and whoever for her sake keeps vigil
shall quickly be free from care;
because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her,
and graciously appears to them in the ways,
and meets them with all solicitude.

Responsorial
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
R. (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
I will remember you upon my couch,
and through the night-watches I will meditate on you:
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Reading 2
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 OR 4:13-14
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
about those who have fallen asleep,
so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,
so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive,
who are left until the coming of the Lord,
will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself, with a word of command,
with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God,
will come down from heaven,
and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive, who are left,
will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air.
Thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore, console one another with these words.

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
about those who have fallen asleep,
so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,
so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Alleluia
Matthew 24:42A, 44
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stay awake and be ready!
For you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
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.”

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