Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Virgin, Martyr

First reading

Hosea 2:16,17,21-22

I will betroth you to myself for ever

The Lord says this:
I am going to lead her out into the wilderness
and speak to her heart.
There she will respond to me as she did when she was young,
as she did when she came out of the land of Egypt.
I will betroth you to myself for ever,
betroth you with integrity and justice,
with tenderness and love;
I will betroth you to myself with faithfulness,
and you will come to know the Lord.

Psalm or canticle

Psalm 44(45):11-12,14-17

Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words:
 forget your own people and your father’s house.
So will the king desire your beauty:
 He is your lord, pay homage to him.

The daughter of the king is clothed with splendour,
 her robes embroidered with pearls set in gold.
She is led to the king with her maiden companions.

They are escorted amid gladness and joy;
 they pass within the palace of the king.
Sons shall be yours in place of your fathers:
 you will make them princes over all the earth.

Gospel

Matthew 25:1-13

The wise and foolish virgins

Jesus told this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, “The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him.” At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, “Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out.” But they replied, “There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves.” They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. “Lord, Lord,” they said “open the door for us.” But he replied, “I tell you solemnly, I do not know you.” So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.’