Thirty Second Sunday Homily in Ordinary Time Year A

1st Reading – Wisdom 6:12-16

¹² Wisdom is pure and never fades away, and is easily seen by those who love her and found by those who seek her.

¹³ She anticipates those who desire her, so that she first reveals herself to them.

¹⁴ Whoever awakens early to seek her, will not labor, for he will find her sitting at his door.

¹⁵ Therefore, by thinking about her, understanding is perfected, and whoever remains watchful for her, will quickly be secure.

¹⁶ For she goes about seeking such as are worthy of her, and she reveals herself to them cheerfully in the ways, and meets them with all foresight.

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

R. (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

² 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. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

³ Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
⁴ For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

⁵ Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
⁶ As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

⁷ I will remember you upon my couch,
and through the night-watches I will meditate on you:
⁸ You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

2nd Reading – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

¹³ 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.

¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

¹⁵ 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.

¹⁶ 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.

¹⁷ 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.

¹⁸ Therefore, console one another with these words.

Or 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

¹³ 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.

¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Alleluia – Matthew 24:42A, 44

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
^42A Stay awake and be ready!
⁴⁴ For you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
¹ “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

² Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

³ The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them,

⁴ but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.

⁵ Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.

⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

⁹ 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.’

¹⁰ 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.

¹¹ Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’

¹² But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’

¹³ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”