DAILY- HOMILY

November 12, 2017 - 32nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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Wis 6: 12- 16 / 1 Thes 4: 13- 18 / Mt 25: 1 - 13

FROM THE FIRST READING:          Wis 6: 12 - 14

     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.

FROM THE 2ND READING:            1 Thes 4: 13 -14

     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.

GOSPEL READING:           Mt 25: 1 - 13

     Jesus said, "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 along extra oil. But those who were sensible brought with their lamps flasks of oil. As the bridegroom was 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."

REFLECTION

     None of us can really tell when the Lord will come back. All we know from Scripture is that he promised to return one day. While we continue waiting for his second coming, we must be prepared- all the time.

     The ten maidens in the parable were all waiting for the bridegroom to come, each carrying her lamp. Half were prepared with flasks of extra oil: they were wise and sensible.

     Half were careless and carried only their lamps, with no extra oil. Why bring a lamp with no assurance you have enough oil? When notice was given about the imminent arrival of the bridegroom, they found their lamps running out of oil. They tried to borrow from those with extra oil: they were refused since those with extra oil might not have enough for the others. So they scrambled off to buy oil, only to have the doors closed on them. They were not prepared and suffered the consequences; they were locked out of the wedding festivities.

The simple parable had the obvious lesson for all: always be prepared. Are we ready when our time comes? What preparations do we have in place? Do we have the necessary supplies and provisions when Jesus returns?

     Let us not be like the careless maidens. Let us be like to wise ones, prepared and with enough provisions for any delay or difficulty.

     The lesson is clear and obvious: be prepared.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     ALICE SIA CHENG TEH

     JOHN ALVAN S. ESTRERA

     MATTHEW CHRISTIAN YU

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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