The Whole school focus theme for this year is: Be Just Like Jesus

To be like Jesus is to be a person willing to put others before yourself, to seek wisdom, and to care about how you interact with all people you come across in life.

Booking to attend Mass

To attend Mass in person, please follow this link to make a booking.  We encourage you to all come back to Mass if it is safe for you to do so.  We look forward to seeing you! 

Parish Newsletter

This weekend’s newsletter is now available online.  Click on the link here to access: https://www.holyspiritgungahlin.org.au/31-october-1-november-2020-saints/

THIRTIETH-SECOND SUNDAY IN

​ORDINARY TIME

“Look, the bridegroom comes. Go out to meet him."

Year A | Sunday 8th November | green

Preparing to hear God’s word

Jesus reminds his disciples to 'Be ready!'

Some of the bridesmaids in today's story were extra prepared and brought lots of oil for their lamps, but they did not share with those who had less.

God gives each person gifts to use for their own benefit but also to help others.

​God's kingdom calls us to be generous and compassionate, not to selfishly hold onto our surplus goods and gifts. 

The Story

In today’s gospel, ten bridesmaids all took their lamps ... but only five of them took extra oil.

The bridegroom was late and the lamps needed to burn for longer than expected.

The bridesmaids who took extra oil could keep their lamps lit. It is these women that the gospel calls 'wise'.

The five who did not bring extra oil were called 'foolish'. They asked for help from those who had plenty - but were refused. They then went out, in the middle of the night and somehow, somewhere found more oil.

​But while they were gone, the groom arrived and the doors to the wedding were closed.

The Scriptures

A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew 25:1-13

Look, the bridegroom comes. Go out to meet him.

Jesus told his disciples this story about the kingdom of heaven:

"The kingdom of heaven is like what happened one night

when ten girls took their oil lamps

and went to a wedding to meet the groom.

Five of the girls were foolish and five were wise.

The foolish ones took their lamps, but no extra oil.

The ones who were wise took along extra oil for their lamps.

"The groom was late arriving,

and the girls became drowsy and fell asleep.

Then in the middle of the night someone shouted,

'Here's the groom! Come to meet him!'

"When the girls got up and started getting their lamps ready,

the foolish ones said to the others,

'Let us have some of your oil!

Our lamps are going out.'

"The girls who were wise answered,

'There's not enough oil for all of us!

Go and buy some for yourselves'

"While the foolish girls were on their way to get some oil,

the groom arrived.

The girls who were ready went into the wedding,

and the doors were closed

Later the other girls returned and shouted,

'Sir, Sir! Open the door for us!'

"But the groom replied, 'I don't even know you!'

"So, my disciples, always be ready!

You don't know the day or the time

when all this will happen."

             The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection

Since the bridegroom was late in arriving, five of the women ran out of oil for their lamps. Had the groom been on time, all the women would have had enough oil. These unexpected things happen in life!

In today's world - who would parallel the five 'wise' women? Who are the ones who have more than enough but who refuse to share? Could this be a reference to many First world countries who, each year, destroy huge quantities of food - enough to feed the rest of the world?

And who would parallel the five 'foolish' women who were resourceful enough to go out and find a way to achieve their goal - because those who had plenty refused to share?

Video

Peace and Best Wishes,

Anne Leet

Religious Education Co-ordinator