THE GOSPEL
Matthew 25:1-13At midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom!
Come out to meet him’! Then all those virgins got up and
trimmed their lamps.
Lord, we trust
that you will come
for us sinners.
Until then we try to catch
just a glimpse
of you:
in
midnight stars,
and geese in flight;
planets on path,
the child’s face;
each sorrow
and all
joy.
Please bless our seeking for you,
flasks full and lamps trimmed.
Let us find you in
all things.
THE FIRST READING
Wisdom 6:12-16Whoever watches for [wisdom] at dawn shall not be disappointed,
for he shall find her sitting by his gate.
Come to us,
Wisdom.
Sit by
our
gates.
Do not disappoint. We love you.
We will surely keep vigil,
as we watch for
you.
Help us begin to see what you see:
the depths of all things
in creation.
THE SECOND READING
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
or 4:13-14For 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.
We do not know what we will hear.
The call of an angel?
The blast of a
trumpet?
This much we do know:
we want to be ready
whenever you
come.
Make us ready, Lord.
from Religious Clip Art for the Liturgical Year (A, B, and C). This art may be reproduced only by parishes who purchase the collection in book or CD-ROM form. For more information go http://www.ltp.org