Meeting ID: 923 9542 3097
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Readings for November 8:
· Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
· Psalm 78:1-7
· 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
· Matthew 25:1-13
Collect
Eternal God,
who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning,
grant us so to hear them,
read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus said, "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
Reflection Questions
1. What experience do you have with being 'locked out' because of your own lack of attention or preparation? How was your experience like or unlike the story Jesus tells today?
2. What does it mean to be 'keep awake?' What do you think the 'oil' represents?
3. Do you experience Jesus' story today as a gift? Why or why not?
Closing Prayer
Ever-living God,
you inscribe our names in your book of life
so that we may share in the firstfruits of salvation.
Grant that we may acknowledge Christ as our redeemer
and, trusting in him,
be confident that none of your own will be lost or forgotten.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
The Message: Matthew 25:1-13
The Story of the Virgins
25 1-5 “God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.The Message (MSG)
6 “In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bride-groom’s here! Go out and greet him!’
7-8 “The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’
9 “They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’
10 “They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.
11 “Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’
12 “He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’
13 “So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
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