Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Liturgical Season: 
V The Season of Pentecost
Special Significance: 
St. Macreena

Rom 15:1-6

Patience and Self-Denial. 1We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves;a 2let each of us please our neighbor for the good, for building up.b 3For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written,c “The insults of those who insult you fall upon me.”* 4For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.d 5May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony* with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus,e 6that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mt 25:1-13

The Parable of the Ten Virgins.* 1“Then* 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. 3The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, 4but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 5Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But 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.’ 10While 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* a Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ 12But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13b Therefore, stay awake,* for you know neither the day nor the hour.