Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - A - November 6, 2011

Are You Ready?

The parable of the Foolish and Wise Bridesmaids stressed the activity of preparation with the virtue of wisdom. It is wise to prepare, to put off the pleasures of the day for a greater reward.

DEDICATION OF ST. JOHN LATERAN: November 9, 2011

MP3 PODCAST In this week's audio podcast, we discuss the tension between wisdom and immediate gratification in our modern culture.

FIRST READING The author of Wisdom (Wisdom of Solomon) extolled the virtue of wisdom as the road to leadership.

PSALM Psalm 63 was a morning hymn for divine intimacy.

SECOND READING In his first letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul drew a parallel between Christ and the believer. What happened to the Lord would happen to the faithful in the final resurrection and ascension.

GOSPEL In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus told the parable of the Foolish and Wise Bridesmaids. In doing so, he placed the virtue of wisdom in the context of Christian expectation.

CHILDREN'S READINGS In the story for the first reading, Ms. Jenkins treated every student as the most special person in the world. Her students saw her the same way. That was wise. In the story for the gospel, Jamie worked hard to be flower girl at her baby sitter's wedding. Despite the hassle, the wedding was perfect. In Jesus' parable, he implied wisdom was hard work, but it was a struggle for a final reward.

CATECHISM LINK In this week's Catechism Link, we explore the afterlife and the end of time.

FAMILY ACTIVITY Re-enact the parable of the Bridesmaids with a night party to stress the wisdom of spiritual preparation.