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| "The Foolish Virgins"(top) & "The Wise Virgins" (bottom) -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: 1
Corinthians 1: 17 - 25
17
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in
wisdom of speech, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.
18
For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is
foolishness: but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the
power of God.
19
For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise: and the
prudence of the prudent I will reject.
20
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this
world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21
For, seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by wisdom, knew not
God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save
them that believe.
22
For both the Jews require signs: and the Greeks seek after wisdom.
23
But we preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed a
stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness:
24
But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the
power of God and the wisdom of God.
25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men: and the weakness of God
is stronger than men.
PSALM:
Psalms 33:
1 - 2, 4 - 5, 10 - 11
1
A psalm for David.> Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just: praise
becometh the upright.
2
Give praise to the Lord on the harp; sing to him with the psaltery,
the instrument of ten strings.
4
For the word of the Lord is right, and all his works are done with
faithfulness.
5
He loveth mercy and judgment; the earth is full of the mercy of the
Lord.
10
The Lord bringeth to nought the counsels of nations; and he rejecteth
the devices of people, and casteth away the counsels of princes.
11
But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: the thoughts of his
heart to all generations.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 25:
1 - 13
1
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking
their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride.
2
And five of them were foolish and five wise.
3
But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with
them.
4
But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps.
5
And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept.
6
And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh.
Go ye forth to meet him.
7
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8
And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps
are gone out.
9
The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us
and for you, go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves.
10
Now whilst they went to buy the bridegroom came: and they that were
ready went in with him to the marriage. And the door was shut.
11
But at last came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to
us.
12
But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not.
13
Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
