Gospel for the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 8, 2026 · Matthew 25:1-13
Lamps burning bright
Jesus tells the parable of the ten young women waiting for the bridegroom. He asks us to stay awake and ready, with our lamps burning. Matthew 25:1-13
Liturgical color: green
This Sunday’s Gospel, in everyday words
Jesus told a parable, a story that teaches, about the Kingdom of heaven. Matthew 25:1
Ten young women took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. The Gospel calls them virgins. Matthew 25:1
Five were wise and brought oil in flasks. The other five were foolish and brought no oil. Matthew 25:2-4
The bridegroom was a long time coming, and they all fell asleep. Matthew 25:5
At midnight someone shouted that the bridegroom was coming and that they should go out to meet him. Matthew 25:6
They all got their lamps ready. The foolish ones asked the wise ones for oil, because their lamps were going out. Matthew 25:7-8
The wise ones answered that there would not be enough for all of them, and told them to go and buy some. Matthew 25:9
While they went to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him, and the door was locked. Matthew 25:10
Later the others came and asked the bridegroom to open the door for them. He answered that he did not know them. Matthew 25:11-12
Jesus ended by saying that we must stay awake, because we know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:13
What the Bible says
Matthew 25:1-13
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. 2And five of them were foolish, and five wise. 3But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. 5And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. 9The 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. 10Now 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. 11But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. 13Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
The other readings at Mass
First Reading
Wisdom shines brightly and never fades. She lets herself be found by those who seek her, and she even comes out to meet them. Wisdom 6:12-16
Responsorial Psalm
We tell God that we seek him from early morning and that we thirst for him, like dry land. Psalm 63:2-8
Second Reading
Paul comforts the Christians about those who have died. Jesus died and rose, and God will bring with him those who have died in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The full readings for this day, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: bible.usccb.org
What the Church teaches
The lamp of faith
When Jesus asks us to stay awake, he is talking about his coming. The Catechism says that the light that must not go out is the light of faith.
Catechism 2730
The resurrection of the dead
The Church teaches that the dead will rise on the last day, when Christ comes again. To say this, the Catechism quotes today’s second reading.
Catechism 1001
The color green
We are still in Ordinary Time: the priest wears green.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal 346
To read with your children
Ten young women were waiting for the bridegroom to go to a wedding. Matthew 25:1
Five of them brought oil for their lamps. Matthew 25:4
The other five did not bring any oil. Matthew 25:3
The bridegroom came, and the ones who were ready went into the wedding. Matthew 25:10
Jesus said that we must stay awake and be ready. Matthew 25:13
What do you do when you are waiting for someone you love very much?
To talk about as a family
- The wise young women brought oil. What things do we get ready ahead of time at home?
- What helps us keep our faith burning: praying, going to Mass, helping others?
- For the child: when you are waiting for someone you love very much, what do you do until they arrive?
This week
This week, every night before bed, light a small light and pray together for one minute. It is your way of keeping your lamp ready.
To pray
Lord Jesus, we do not know the day or the hour, but we know that you are coming. Keep the light of our faith burning, so that you find us awake and ready to go into the wedding feast with you. Amen.