First Reading

First reading

Reading from the Book of Wisdom

Wisdom 6, 12-16

Radiant and incorruptible is wisdom;
those who love her easily behold her
and she allows herself to be found by those who seek her
and anticipates making herself known to those who desire her.

Whoever rises early for her will not grow weary,
for she will be found sitting at his door.
Giving her first place in one’s thoughts
is consummate prudence;
whoever watches for her
will soon be free from worries.

To those who are worthy of her,
she herself goes out to meet them on the roads;
she appears to them graciously
and assists them in all their endeavors.

Second reading

Reading from the first letter of the Apostle Saint Paul to the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 4, 13-18

Brothers and sisters: We do not want you to be unaware 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

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew

Matthew 25, 1-13

At that time, 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, a cry was heard: ‘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 for 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 in with him to the wedding feast. 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.”