Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, November 8, 2026 (EPISODE: 608)
Readings for Sunday, November 8, 2026
FIRST READING: Wis 6:12-16
Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. "My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God"
SECOND READING: 1 Thess 4:13-18 or 4:13-14
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 24:42a+44). Alleluia, alleluia! Be watchful and ready. You know not when the Son of Man is coming.
GOSPEL: Matt 25:1-13
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/USgtoNst22SaDz1zyEt7/parable-of-the-wise-and-foolish-bridesmaids-single-image?ru=Paul-Evangelion
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass (Readings, prayers and homily) for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, November 8, 2026, by clicking this link here: https://on.soundcloud.com/zAApuUCtYfUEa7s4Ur (EPISODE:608)
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GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A (Sunday, November 8, 2026)
(EPISODE: 608)
*[Gospel values included in the readings: humility, preparation, alertness, wisdom, and trusting in God’s promises, whilst not taking them for granted.]*
The only thing that seems excessive in the parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (five who were wise and five who were foolish) is this: they were not prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom. They messed up.
So what? Surely it is a happy occasion when everyone is celebrating and in a good mood. The bridegroom is surely also a nice guy. Why lock out the bridesmaids because they were a bit disorganised and unprepared?
But this parable is designed to shock and surprise people out of their complacency.
And also—on a broader level—the parable has at least two universal warnings:
**(i)** It warns us that certain things cannot be obtained at the last minute. It is far too late for a student to start preparing for a major exam when the examination day has arrived. It is much too late for a person to acquire a skill, or a personal quality or character, if they do not already possess it when the need arises for that quality to be implemented.
It is like a medical expert telling a patient who is suffering a major medical episode: “Come back later. I haven’t become good enough at treating that particular illness yet. I will go on a training course to perfect this next week. Come back then!” Or: “Couldn’t you have come to me with something else that I was prepared for?”
No such chance.
Similarly, it is easy to leave things so late that we can no longer prepare ourselves to respond. And likewise, one can leave things too late to prepare to meet with God.
In 1660, Mary, the Princess Royal, lay dying from smallpox. She received a visit from her chaplain, who, seeing her on her deathbed, sought to speak to her urgently about the ways of salvation. Her reply was delightful: “I have not left such a matter to this hour.”
Well said! To be too late is always a tragedy. And if it is too late, it does not reflect on the goodness of the one who has already closed the door and turned the key with finality.
**(ii)** This parable also warns us that there are certain things which cannot be borrowed.
The foolish bridesmaids found it impossible to borrow oil when they discovered they needed it.
Neither can a person borrow a relationship with God; they must have it for themselves.
A person cannot borrow a character; they must be clothed with it, wear it like a second skin through their life.
We cannot always rely on the spiritual “capital” which others have been nurturing. There are certain things we must gain or acquire for ourselves, because we cannot borrow everything from others.
Two words that are the saddest of words: **“too late!”**
We know that God is patient and compassionate, and gives us so many opportunities and new starts. But this parable is warning us not to take that for granted, because eventually the time will come for the door to close—so we must be ever-humble, diligent, and prepared.
It takes most people a lifetime for God to enrich them and develop their character into those qualities consistent with the Gospel of Jesus. It requires, on our part, a sincere openness of heart, humility, and a willingness to change and be transformed by God. And it also requires a true state of readiness—one that simply cannot be left to the eleventh hour.
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References:
THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF Matthew (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{May Our Lord's gift of hope encourage you.}} Welcome, everyone; we gather in praise and Worship of our God. On this Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A
Brothers and sisters, the Lord is full of love and mercy. As we prepare to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us acknowledge our sins.
Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of peace. Lord, have mercy// You are Son of God and the Son of Mary. Christ, have mercy// You are Word made flesh, the splendour of the Father. Lord, have mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. "My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 24:42a+44). Alleluia, alleluia! Be watchful and ready. You know not when the Son of Man is coming.
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PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary III
Eucharistic Prayer One
Communion side. pwk:
(theme variation: 3 )
(post version: v1-short)
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{heartfelt thanks to you all for uniting in prayer and reflecting upon God's goodness and care.}
Go in peace. (glorifying the Lord by your life)
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass in Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
"Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
"Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.
Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software).
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software)
Sound Processing: iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.)
[ Production - KER - 2026]
May God bless and keep you.
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