FIRST
READING:
Wisdom 6:
12-16
12
Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them
that love her, and is found by them that seek her.
13
She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first sheweth herself
unto them.
14
He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour: for he shall
find her sitting at his door.
15
To think therefore upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that
watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.
16
For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, and she
sheweth herself to them cheerfully in the ways, and meeteth them with
all providence.
PSALM:
Psalms 63:
2-8
2
O God, my God, to thee do I watch at break of day. For thee my soul
hath thirsted; for thee my flesh, O how many ways!
3
In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: so in the
sanctuary have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory.
4
For thy mercy is better than lives: thee my lips shall praise.
5
Thus will I bless thee all my life long: and in thy name I will lift
up my hands.
6
Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness: and my mouth shall
praise thee with joyful lips.
7
If I have remembered thee upon my bed, I will meditate on thee in the
morning:
8
Because thou hast been my helper. And I will rejoice under the covert
of thy wings.
SECOND
READING: 1
Thessalonians 4: 13-18
OR
1 Thessalonians 4:
13-14
13
And we will not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that are
asleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope.
14
For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again; even so them who
have slept through Jesus, will God bring with him.
15
For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord, that we who are
alive, who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them
who have slept.
16
For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with commandment,
and with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and
the dead who are in Christ, shall rise first.
17
Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with
them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so shall we be
always with the Lord.
18
Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.
OR
13
And we will not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that are
asleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope.
14
For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again; even so them who
have slept through Jesus, will God bring with him.
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 come 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.
