Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 27 August 2027

1 For the rest therefore, brethren, we pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us, how you ought to walk, and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more.

2 For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you should abstain from fornication;

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour:

5 Not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles that know not God:

6 And that no man overreach, nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before, and have testified.

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification.

8 Therefore, he that despiseth these things, despiseth not man, but God, who also hath given his holy Spirit in us.

R. (12a) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

1 The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad.

2b Justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

5 The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens declared his justice: and all people saw his glory.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

10 You that love the Lord, hate evil: the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints, he will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

11 Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.

12 Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: and give praise to the remembrance of his holiness.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

36 Be vigilant at all times and pray, that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride.

2 And five of them were foolish, and five wise.

3 But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps.

5 And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.

9 The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.

11 But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not.

13 Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.

The Lord calls his people to sanctification, and that holiness is shown in the concrete way we live: honoring our bodies, refusing lust, dealing honestly with others, and allowing no one to be cheated or used. Such obedience is not empty rule-keeping. It is a response to the God who has given us his Holy Spirit and desires that we walk in a way pleasing to him.

The ten virgins reveal why this holiness requires vigilance. All had lamps, and all became tired while the bridegroom delayed. The difference was that five had prepared oil for the time of waiting. Faith cannot be improvised at the final moment, nor can another person lend us a life of prayer, integrity, and fidelity. Each day gives us the opportunity to keep the lamp of the heart supplied: to pray, resist what darkens love, repair what dishonesty has damaged, and practice the good we hope to live forever. The Lord’s coming is certain, though its hour is hidden. Those who love the Lord and turn away from evil need not live in fear; the psalm promises that light and joy rise for the upright. Vigilance, then, is steady faithfulness in ordinary choices.

Lord Jesus, keep the lamp of my faith burning while I wait for your coming. Give me your Holy Spirit, that I may honor you in my body, speak truthfully, deal fairly, and turn away from whatever harms love. When prayer feels difficult or the waiting grows long, make me watchful rather than careless. Help me prepare today through quiet fidelity, sincere repentance, and generous obedience. May your light guide my choices and preserve my heart from evil, so that I may recognize your voice and enter with joy when you come. Amen.