Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8: We encourage you to live holy lives, avoiding immorality and treating others with respect. God calls us to purity and gives us His Spirit to guide us.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 97: The earth rejoices, for the Lord reigns as king. Justice and judgment form the foundation of His throne, and the heavens declare His righteousness while all people witness His glory.
• Gospel – Matthew 25:1-13: Jesus taught the importance of being prepared for His return. The wise bridesmaids were ready and entered the wedding feast, while the foolish ones were left outside. Always be ready and vigilant.

When this falls on August 29, the gospel for the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist is used.

Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!

Matthew 25:6

On the Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings remind us of important lessons in faith and morality. The First Reading from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 and the Gospel from Matthew 25:1-13 teach us about holiness, vigilance, and readiness.

• Call to Holiness: We are called to live holy lives, avoiding immorality and respecting others. This means honoring our relationships and not taking advantage of others.
• Purity in Relationships: The reading urges us to enter into relationships with purity and respect, avoiding lustful desires. It emphasizes treating each other with honor.
• Guidance of the Holy Spirit: God gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us in living a holy life. Ignoring this guidance is like ignoring God Himself.
• Preparedness: The parable of the ten bridesmaids teaches the importance of being prepared for Christ’s return. Those who are vigilant and ready will enter the kingdom.
• Wisdom and Foolishness: The wise bridesmaids were prepared with extra oil, while the foolish ones were not. This shows the importance of foresight and wisdom in our spiritual lives.
• Urgency of Readiness: The parable warns us that we do not know when Christ will return. We must always be ready, as the door to the kingdom can close at any moment.

The lessons from the readings call us to examine our lives and prepare for Christ’s return. By living in holiness and staying vigilant, we align ourselves with God’s will.

On Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings from 1 Thessalonians and the Gospel of Matthew offer important lessons about living a holy life and being prepared for Christ’s return. These reflections explore themes of holiness, preparedness, and the common thread of readiness and vigilance. By understanding and applying these teachings, we can deepen our faith and live in a way that is pleasing to God.

Living Holy Lives

On Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded of the call to live holy lives. The first reading from 1 Thessalonians emphasizes avoiding immorality and respecting others. Holiness involves treating people with dignity and honor, especially in our relationships. This means being honest and not using others for our gain.

Living a holy life is not just about avoiding wrong actions but also about doing good. It includes being kind, fair, and compassionate to everyone we meet. By living in this way, we reflect God’s love to others and grow closer to Him. Holiness is a journey that requires constant effort and self-reflection.

The reading also mentions the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding us toward holiness. The Spirit helps us make good choices and strengthens us when we are tempted. We are called to listen to the Spirit and follow its lead in our daily lives. Ignoring this guidance leads us away from holiness and God’s plan for us.

Preparedness in Our Spiritual Lives

The Gospel for Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 presents the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. In this story, the wise bridesmaids are prepared with extra oil, while the foolish ones are not. This parable teaches us the importance of foresight and wisdom in our spiritual lives. Being prepared means living in a way that is ready for Christ’s return at any moment.

Just as the wise bridesmaids brought extra oil, we should be prepared with a strong faith and good deeds. These are like the oil that keeps our spiritual lamps burning. Without this preparation, we might find ourselves unready when Christ comes. The parable encourages us to take our faith seriously and not be lazy or careless.

This message is relevant to us as it reminds us not to delay our spiritual growth. We shouldn’t wait until the last moment to start living faithfully. Instead, we should always strive to grow in our relationship with God and others. Being prepared means being active in our faith, praying regularly, and helping those in need.

A Common Theme: Readiness and Vigilance

A common theme in the readings for Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 is readiness and vigilance. Both the first reading and the Gospel stress the importance of being prepared. The first reading calls us to live holy lives, which requires constant attention to our actions and attitudes. The Gospel’s parable shows the consequences of not being prepared, as the foolish bridesmaids are left outside the wedding feast.

This theme of readiness is about being alert and aware of our spiritual condition. It means being mindful of our actions and the state of our hearts. We are called to live in a way that is always ready for Christ, whether in our daily lives or at the end of time. This involves regular prayer, receiving the sacraments, and living out the teachings of Jesus.

Readiness also means being vigilant against sin and temptation. The readings remind us that it is easy to become complacent or distracted by the things of this world. We must stay focused on our goal of holiness and keep our spiritual lamps burning brightly. By doing so, we can be confident that we are ready whenever Christ comes.

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The reflections on Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us of the importance of living holy lives and being prepared for Christ’s return. We are called to honor our relationships, be wise and vigilant in our faith, and always be ready for the Lord. By embracing these lessons, we can grow closer to God and live faithfully every day.

Prayer

Lord, help us to live holy lives and be prepared for Your return. Guide us to treat others with respect and to stay vigilant in our faith. May we always seek to do Your will and be ready to meet You. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can you strive to live a holy life in your daily relationships and actions?
• In what ways can you prepare your heart and spirit for Christ’s return?
• What are some distractions in your life that might prevent you from being spiritually ready?
• How can you rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to make better choices and grow in holiness?

Waiting for Christ

On Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron talks about the parable of the ten virgins, emphasizing the need for preparedness while waiting for Christ’s return. He suggests that regular prayer, education in faith, participation in sacraments, and acts of mercy make one wise in their waiting.

On the other hand, neglecting these aspects is foolish. Bishop Barron also points out that spiritual preparedness isn’t something that can be shared or transferred last-minute, underlining personal responsibility in spiritual cultivation.

What date is Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Friday August 29, 2025.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For even numbered years see Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Friday August 29, 2025 are:
First Reading – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8: Pursuing Holiness
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 97: The Lord Reigns
Gospel – Matthew 25:1-13: The Parable of the Ten Virgins

What does “holiness” mean in the first reading for Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

In the reading from 1 Thessalonians, holiness means living in a way that pleases God. It involves avoiding sinful actions, especially immorality, and treating others with respect.

Why is it important to avoid “lustful passion”?

“Lustful passion” refers to using others for selfish desires. In the first reading, we are told to treat others with honor and purity, not as objects for our own pleasure.

How does the Holy Spirit help us according to the first reading?

The Holy Spirit guides us to live a holy life. Ignoring this guidance means ignoring God, who calls us to holiness.

What is the lesson of the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids in the Gospel for Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The parable teaches us to always be prepared for Christ’s return. Like the wise bridesmaids, we should live our lives ready to meet Jesus at any time.

Why did the foolish bridesmaids run out of oil?

The foolish bridesmaids did not bring enough oil for their lamps. This shows they were not prepared or thinking ahead, unlike the wise bridesmaids.

What does the “oil” represent in the parable?

The oil can represent our faith and good deeds. Just as the bridesmaids needed oil for their lamps, we need faith and good actions to be ready for Christ.

Why couldn’t the wise bridesmaids share their oil?

The wise bridesmaids couldn’t share their oil because each person must have their own preparation. This means we each need our own faith and readiness for Christ.

What does it mean when Jesus says, “I do not know you”?

This phrase means that those who are not ready or prepared for Christ will not enter the kingdom. It’s a warning to live faithfully and be vigilant.

How can we apply these teachings for Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 to our lives?

We can apply these teachings by living morally and being ready for Christ’s return. This means avoiding sin, doing good, and staying faithful in our daily lives.

What is the key message of the readings for Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The key message is to live a holy life and always be prepared for Christ’s coming. It reminds us to stay vigilant and faithful in all we do.