BE PREPARED
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather as a family/ community; create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately - switch off your phones...).
We are conscious that Christ is present not only in the Blessed Sacrament but also in the Scriptures and in our hearts. Even when we are on our own, we remain part of the Body of Christ.
Place lighted candles, a crucifix, and the Bible on a covered table. These remind us of the sacredness of our time of prayer and could help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.
You may sing or play an appropriate hymn. For instance:
The Sign of the Cross
Greeting and Introductory Words
L: The Lord invites us to the table of his Word: let us bless him for his goodness.
A: Blessed be God forever.
L: The Boys Scout motto is “be prepared.” This Sunday’s liturgy invites us to be good scouts and be prepared for the coming of the Lord now in the many ways he comes to us—as our companion on the road of life, in our neighbour, in our prayer—and at the end of our lives.
We pray that we may always be prepared to meet the Lord when he comes.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have not been ready for the Lord’s coming, we ask him to forgive us.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world: Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you urge us to have our lamps lit: Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
Gloria
Opening Prayer
L: Brighten your Church, O God,
with the promise of your kingdom
and waken our hearts to its light.
May we hasten with faith undimmed
to greet the bridegroom’s return
and to enter the wedding feast.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Readings
The readings are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary.
Preferably use a Bible/ Lectionary for reading.
Reading 1 Wisdom 6:12-16
Psalm Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Response My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Reading 2 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 or 4:13-14
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
Stay awake and be ready!
For you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Gospel Matthew 25:1-13
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine you are one of the disciples listening to the parable about the ten virgins waiting to meet the bridegroom. What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear the parable?
Sunday Snippets
A youngster applied for a job as a farm hand. When the farmer asked him for his qualifications, he said: “I can sleep when the wind blows.” The farmer was puzzled but he hired the young man.
A few nights later, there was a violent storm. The farmer and his wife woke up and began quickly checking things. They found a supply of logs near the fireplace; the implements were in the storage shed; the tractor was in the garage; the barn was properly locked; the animals were calm. The farmer grasped the meaning of the young man’s words: “I can sleep when the wind blows.” The farm hand had faithfully performed his work; he was prepared for the storm.
In the Gospel parable, Jesus uses the context of a Palestinian wedding to talk about the same thing: being able to sleep when awaiting the bridegroom’s coming!
The parable has an immediate-local meaning. The Jews’ history and scriptures should have prepared them for the coming of Jesus. But they were unprepared and were therefore shut out from the banquet.
The parable has a universal significance. There are some things we cannot put off. We cannot put off our prep for the Lord’s coming.
Further, the fact that the wise did not share their surplus oil suggests that the prep for the Lord’s coming is not something that one can borrow/share. One cannot borrow/share a relationship with God; character/attitude; love and good works. Every person must make his/her own preparation!
Moreover, what separates the wise from the foolish? Both were invited to keep vigil, both brought their lamps, both fell asleep. Two things separate them. One, the wise had adequate oil; they were prepared. Two, there is no mention that the lamps of the wise ones were going out; only the lamps of the foolish ones were. Perhaps the oil they were using was insufficient in quality as well.
Every person is responsible for the state of his/her lamp!
What is the level and quality of the oil of the lamp of my life? Do I have enough oil to see me through serious moments?
If my lamp is going out, perhaps I have not filled it enough and with the right oil!
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: How is wisdom different from knowledge? Which enables me to see beyond the surface of things into their depths? Where do I need wisdom most in my life?
Reading 2: Do I believe in the resurrection? How does this belief impact my perspective on life and death?
Gospel: What kinds of things would I do to make sure I was one of those “who were ready”? Has my practice of my faith become “drowsy” or apathetic? How?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: The Lord invites us to be prepared to meet him when he comes in our lives. Let us ask him for this wisdom, as we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may have a spirit of readiness so that we can respond to God’s presence and invitation at every moment, we pray…
R: For leaders of governments: that they may fulfil their duties with integrity and work untiringly to address the crucial issues of our society, we pray…
R: For those discouraged and wounded by life: that they may not grow bitter and that from our presence and friendship they may draw fresh strength and hope, we pray…
R: For those in danger of death: that they may not fear or despair but commit themselves in hope to the Lord who has overcome death, we pray…
R: For those ailing: that God may heal and restore them, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that God may give us insight and wisdom through our daily experiences so that we may value and nurture the things that will sustain us into eternal life, we pray…
L: God our Father, we pray that we may faithfully follow your Son each day of our life, acting justly, loving tenderly, and walking humbly, and thus keep our light burning until Christ comes, who is Lord for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
Spiritual Communion
A: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
Post Spiritual Communion Reflection
Lord,
when will I get the wisdom
to place you, the one true God,
ahead of my petty gods of power, possessions, and pleasure?
I do not know when and how you come to me.
I do not know when,
and so I must be watchful and ready,
otherwise the moment will pass me by.
I never know the hour or the day.
All ten bridesmaids, I recall, were asleep.
The difference was that five of them were prepared.
Lord, the point you make
is not that I should calculate the hour of your coming;
it is that I should be ready for every moment of my life.
Lord, bless my searching and waiting for you,
flasks full and lamps trimmed.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: God of our hope and joy,
we have encountered your Son Jesus,
and have recognized his voice.
Make us always hear his voice
crying out to us in our needy brothers and sisters,
that he may find us ready when he comes
to gather us into the feast of your kingdom
that lasts for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
Blessing
L: The Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and lead us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
L: Go in the peace of Christ.
A: Thanks be to God.
Conclude with a hymn. For instance:
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