This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, November 12th is from 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. . .the bridegroom was long delayed. . .At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’. . .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’. . .[Jesus] said. . . Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Reflection
“If only the bridegroom had come on time. Consequently, the five foolish virgins ran out of oil for their lamps. We have all had experiences of waiting longer, maybe much longer, than we anticipated. Instead of running out of oil, we likely ran out of patience. It would be wise, therefore, to pack some spare patience each day, so that we can be prepared for all those times when we need to wait.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Autumn 2023
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Wisdom 1:1-7; Luke 17:1-6
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin (Memorial) – Maria Francesca Cabrini, born in Italy, began teaching in an orphanage at age twenty-four; six years later, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. In 1889, at the request of Pope Leo XIII, she traveled to the United States to work with Italian immigrants. Her congregation spread throughout the United States, Italy, South and Central America, and England. In 1946, she became the first American citizen to be canonized.
Tuesday Wisdom 2:23—3:9; Luke 17:7-10
Wednesday Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19
Thursday Wisdom 7:22b—8:1; Luke 17:20-25
Friday Wisdom 13:1-9; Luke 17:26-37
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious (Memorial) – The daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary, she married Ludwig IV of Thuringia, who supported her charitable activities. After he died on crusade, she entered the Third Order of the Franciscans and continued to care for the sick, the aged, and the poor.
Saturday Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9; Luke 18:1-8