November 8, 2026
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Mt 25:1-13

Today is the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. The text from the Gospel of Saint Matthew shows us the parable of the ten virgins spoken by Jesus. In this parable, we see a fivefold relationship: virgins, bridegroom, wedding feast, lamps, and oil. This fivefold relationship seems very complicated, but for us who are people of the New Covenant, it is very easy.

The virgins (cf. Mt 25:1-5) refer to all brothers and sisters who, through the reception of Baptism into Christ, belong to Christ. They have crucified the mortal old self with Christ on the cross, causing the old self that belonged to sin to perish (cf. Rom 6:6). Thus, they no longer become slaves to sin, but by following the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, become children of God. Among these virgins, some are wise and some are foolish. They hold bright lamps, waiting for the bridegroom who is delayed (cf. Mt 25:5), so that they become drowsy and fall asleep. The bridegroom they are waiting for is Christ. The lamps they hold are their hope, and the oil in the lamps is the penance they have done, as well as all good works. Those wise virgins, while waiting for the bridegroom, were already well prepared, so as to be able to welcome Christ at any time and go to the heavenly wedding feast with Christ. Those foolish virgins are those who only have a desire for the abode of eternal blessedness but are not well prepared. When the bridegroom comes, they seek remedies from those wise virgins who are fully prepared, so that they lose the opportunity to enter the kingdom of heaven together with those wise virgins. (cf. Mt 25:6-10) For them, there is only one end, that is, to be excluded from the kingdom of heaven and live in boundless darkness.

Today, let us reflect: Have we prepared our own lamp oil, so that the lamp of our faith may always burn without going out? Are we fully prepared to welcome the coming of Jesus? Have I put on the proper wedding garment, so that when the bridegroom comes, I may go to His wedding feast with Him?
Finally, let us offer our prayer to God together:

Almighty and merciful God,
graciously keep from us all adversity,
so that, unhindered in mind and body alike,
we may pursue in freedom of heart
the things that are yours.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica