Greetings on this the Friday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Thes 4:1-8; Ps 97:1 and 2b, 5-6, 10, 11-12; Mt 25:1-13
Notes: My friend Gilda is on Camino today. Starting her big climb tomorrow.
May the LORD strengthen her legs and the Holy Spirit fill her heart with Joy.
Gilda – hear this – The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth. Enjoy the Camino miracles!
My sister, Margaret, just returned from her English Camino and sent her reflection today (talk about coincidence!).
Look forward to her Camino story called: The God of Small Things.
Lamp Oil
The LORD gives us the Lamp, the wick, the skill and the wisdom.
All we need to do is keep the Oil of Gladness in our lamps.
You love justice and hate wrongdoing; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellow kings (PS 45:8)
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; … To give them oil of gladness instead of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a faint spirit (ISA 61:1a, 3).
First Reading
You should conduct yourselves to please God–and as you are conducting yourselves–you do so even more. This is the will of God, your holiness. For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness.
Responsorial
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Gospel Acclamation
Be vigilant at all time and pray, that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
Gospel
The wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed.
The bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.
Then the door was locked.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry