Sunday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Wis 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 – Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (R. 2b)
R. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Second Reading – 1 Thes 4:13-18 or 1 Thes 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.
Gospel – Mt 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.”
Featured Saints
St. Josaphat, bishop and martyr. From a Polish-Lithuanian schismatic family, he converted to Catholicism and became a member of the Basilian Order. Later consecrated as archeparch (archbishop) of Polotsk (today Belarus), he laboured as an apostle for unity among the Christians of the East, and was savagely killed in 1623 by opponents of this ideal.
St. Hesychius, bishop (†552). From his office of senetor, he was elevated to that of the Bishop of Vienne, France. He is the father of St. Avitus and St. Apolinaris.
St. Cunibert, bishop (†circa 663). Under his governance of the Diocese of Cologne, Germany, after the barbarian invasions, ecclesiastical life was renewed, monasticism flourished, churches were built and the piety of the faithful restored.
St. Emilian of Cogolla, priest (†574). He left his occupation of shepherd to devote himself to the hermitic life. Owing to his reputation of holiness, he was ordained by the Bishop of Tarazona, Spain. Exercising his ministry with eminent sanctity, he elicited much envy, until the bishop sent him back to the solitude of the mountains, where he founded a community.
St. Margarito Flores, priest and martyr (†1927). Imprisoned and killed by firing squad for being a priest, during the religious persecution in Mexico.
St. Diego of Alcalá, religious (†1463). Spanish Franciscan lay brother who spent some years in the Canary Islands mission, where he distinguished himself for his humility and charity. He died in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. The first Californian mission was named after him, hence the name of the Californian city of San Diego (celebrated on November 7 in the US).
St. Nilus of Ancyra, abbot (†circa 430). Disciple of St. John Chrysostom, he contributed to ascetic doctrine with his writings. He died in the vicinity of present-day Ankara, Turkey.
Blessed John of Peace, penitent (†1335). A soldier from Pisa who, having committed a crime, repented and became a penitent Franciscan tertiary. His example drew many young men to the congregation he founded of Franciscan Hermit Tertiaries.
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