St. Raymond (1204-1240) was born in the village of Portell, in Spain. He is nicknamed Nonnatus (not born) because he was taken from his mother’s womb after her death. He spent his entire fortune ransoming slaves. His captors bored a hole through his lips and attached a padlock to stop him preaching.

 

 

First Reading: (1 Cor 1:17-25)

Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

 

Ps 32:1-2, 4-5, 10-11

R./ The Lord fills the earth with his love.

 

Gospel: (Mt 25:1-13) Jesus spoke to his disci­ples, “The kingdom of heaven shall be com­pared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For 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, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

 

 

Reflection:

The Gospel reminds the aspect of being watchful for the Coming of the Lord with a challenge: to keep our lamps lit. At our Baptism, we all have received the Light of Christ. This light, is not just to be preserved, but is to be nurtured and fostered daily. But we live in a world when there are many a winds seeking to put off this light in us. Some of these winds could be: the wind of “losing the focus from God”, the wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” and the wind of “false principles and ideologies.” We cannot prevent these winds to rage and hit our lives, but we can certainly prevent them from blowing off the Light of Christ in us! This strength comes from our determination, perseverance & commitment and by being united with Jesus, the Source of Light in daily prayer, frequent sacraments, constant nourishment with the Word of God and faithfulness to our daily duties of our vocation and life!