Advent Readings for December 13th.

Today, as we reflect on the readings, we are invited to reflect on how the light of Jesus gives us hope in the darkness.

Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11

48 Then Elijah arose, a prophet like fire,

    and his word burned like a torch.

² He brought a famine upon them,

    and by his zeal he made them few in number.

³ By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens

    and also three times brought down fire.

⁴ How glorious you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!

    Who can boast as you can?

⁹ who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire

    in a chariot with horses of fire,

¹⁰ who were prepared at the appointed time

  to calm wrath before it breaks out in fury,

to turn the hearts of parents to their children

    and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

¹¹ Happy are those who saw you

    and were adorned in love!

    For we also shall surely live.

Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” ¹⁰ And the disciples asked him, “Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” ¹¹ He replied, “Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things, ¹² but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

-OR-

2 Cor 10:17-11:2

¹⁷ “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” ¹⁸ For it is not those who commend themselves that are approved but those whom the Lord commends.

11 I wish you would put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, do put up with me! ² I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 

Matthew 25:1-13

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten young women took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ³ When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, ⁴ but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵ As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. ⁶ But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ ⁷ Then all those young women got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. ¹¹ Later the other young women came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ ¹² But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ ¹³ Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.