First Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

1Therefore, concerning other things, brothers, we ask and beg you, in the Lord Jesus, that, just as you have received from us the way in which you ought to walk and to please God, so also may you walk, in order that you may abound all the more. 2For you know what precepts I have given to you through the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from fornication, 4that each one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor, 5not in passions of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God, 6and that no one should overwhelm or circumvent his brother in business. For the Lord is the vindicator of all these things, just as we have preached and testified to you. 7For God has not called us to impurity, but to sanctification. 8And so, whoever despises these teachings, does not despise man, but God, who has even provided his Holy Spirit within us.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 96

1This is to David, when his land was restored to him. The Lord has reigned, let the earth exult. Let the many islands rejoice. 2Clouds and mist are all around him. Justice and judgment are corrections from his throne. 3A fire will precede him, and it will enflame his enemies all around. 4His lightnings have enlightened the whole world. The earth saw, and it was shaken. 5The mountains flowed like wax before the face of the Lord, before the face of the Lord of all the earth. 6The heavens announced his justice, and all peoples saw his glory. 7May all those who adore graven images be confounded, along with those who glory in their false images. All you his Angels: Adore him. 8Zion heard, and was glad. And the daughters of Judah exulted because of your judgments, O Lord. 9For you are the Most High Lord over all the earth. You are greatly exalted above all gods. 10You who love the Lord: hate evil. The Lord watches over the souls of his holy ones. He will free them from the hand of the sinner. 11The light has risen for the just, and joy for the upright of heart. 12Rejoice in the Lord, you just ones, and confess to the memory of his sanctuary.

Gospel

Matthew 25:1-13

1“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be like ten virgins, who, taking their lamps, went out to meet the groom and the bride. 2But five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3For the five foolish, having brought their lamps, did not take oil with them. 4Yet truly, the prudent ones brought the oil, in their containers, with the lamps. 5Since the bridegroom was delayed, they all fell asleep, and they were sleeping. 6But in the middle of the night, a cry went out: ‘Behold, the groom is arriving. Go out to meet him.’ 7Then all those virgins rose up and trimmed their lamps. 8But the foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give to us from your oil, for our lamps are being extinguished.’ 9The prudent responded by saying, ‘Lest perhaps there may not be enough for us and for you, it would be better for you to go to the vendors and buy some for yourselves.’ 10But while they were going to buy it, the groom arrived. And those who were prepared entered with him to the wedding, and the door was closed. 11Yet truly, at the very end, the remaining virgins also arrived, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ 12But he responded by saying, ‘Amen I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13And so you must be vigilant, because you do not know the day or the hour.