Reflection –
The remaining Sunday gospels are devoted to parables unique to Matthew. This one puzzles many people: five virgins run out of oil for their lamps, and their five colleagues who saved their oil refuse to share in case they too run out! Is this Christian behaviour?
We need to remember that the sole purpose of bridesmaids was to have a light ready for the bridegroom. The five without oil have simply not carried out their only task!
Mass readings.
32nd Sunday of Ordinary -Year A, 7th & 8th November 2026
1st Reading: Wisdom 6:12-16
Responsorial Psalm. For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia..Stay awake and be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect ….. Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13
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PARISH UPDATES:
Catechesis – There is a meeting for parents receiving sacraments in 2027 on the 11th of November at 6pm at St Cuthbert’s. There will be an opportunity to enrol for those that haven’t already done so.
World Day of the Poor – Our parish will hold a special collection at Mass on Sunday 15 November to mark World Day of the Poor. This year’s collection will support the Care Van, run by Bethany Christian Trust and Edinburgh City Mission, which provides food, hot drinks and practical support to people experiencing homelessness and hardship in Edinburgh city centre. You can also donate online at bit.ly/dayforpoor.
Coffee Morning – There will be a coffee morning this Sunday (8th November) after mass. Please come along!
Parish Council Meeting – Minutes for the October Parish Council Meeting are now available at the back of the church and on the Church Website which took place in October.
SSVP Healing Mass: Will be held on Friday, 27th November at 11:30am at Our Lady’s. After the Mass we will move into the hall for food, drink, and some entertainment! You are all warmly invited and if you plan to attend, please let one of the SSVP members know (Aongus, Hugh, Irene, Kevin, Pat, Peadar or phone 0793 332 7051). This will help us to gauge numbers and dietary requirements for the catering, and you can let us know whether you require transport to/from Our Lady’s on the day.
ARCHDIOCESAN UPDATES
Catholic Education Week – special collection – The annual special collection for Catholic Education week is on Sunday 22 November. More details to follow.
Remembrance Mass – A SCIAF Remembrance Mass will be celebrated at 12.30pm on Saturday 14 November at Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston Street, Edinburgh. The Mass will provide an opportunity to remember and give thanks for all SCIAF supporters who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith. Everyone is warmly welcome. Teas and coffees will be served after Mass.
Draft Conversion Practices Bill – Call for Evidence – The Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office has published a guide to help you respond to the UK Parliament’s call for evidence on the Draft Conversion Practices Bill. Although the proposed legislation currently applies only to England and Wales, it could influence future legislation in Scotland. The guide highlights potential implications for parental rights and offers practical advice on submitting evidence. Deadline: 5pm, Monday 16 November 2026. The guide is available online at bit.ly/conversionbill and you can make your submission at bit.ly/uksubmission
Forming a Generation: an evening on sharing the Catholic faith with children and teens – On Wednesday 11 November St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral is hosting Greg Finn from Mark 10 Mission, Georgia Ferrer from Alpha, and others to reflect on what children and teens need at each stage of their faith journey. The night will include two talks, prayer, and adoration. Registration appreciated but you can also just come along. Doors 6:15pm, talks begin 6:45pm, event ends 8:30pm. Info and registration: https://www.themark10mission.co.uk/forming-a-generation (Note: this event was previously advertised as ‘Little Liturgies’)
Retreat Day – Are you a young woman thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Come to Explore, a retreat day to reflect upon and explore God’s will for you. It takes place from 10:00am-7:00pm on Saturday 14 November, at 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. Includes Mass, reflections, prayer, a holy hour, and a chance to socialise over pizza. To register, email Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Red Wednesday Mass – St Mary’s Cathedral – Archbishop Leo Cushley will celebrate Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, on Wednesday 18 November at 7:00pm to mark Red Wednesday, an annual initiative organised by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The Mass will be an opportunity to pray for Christians around the world who face persecution and discrimination because of their faith, and to show solidarity with those who suffer for their beliefs.
Young Adults Mass – The Archdiocesan annual Mass for young adults takes place on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday 22 November, at 7:00pm in Sacred Heart Church, 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DJ. Celebrant: Archbishop Cushley. Social afterwards.
Archdiocesan events – More events are listed at archedinburgh.org/events
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £181
Month total collections (Cash) £181
Special Collections: £-
Bank Total (month) £810
Mass Bookings.
We are reminded that the booking of mass for our special intentions, wedding anniversaries, Birthday thanksgiving, Death anniversaries of our loved ones and general prayers is highly recommended. The mass stipends (Donations) are part of our contribution towards the good of the church and support of our priest.
Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
MASS TIMINGS
MASS INTENTIONS
MASS DONOR
Wednesday, November 11th, 10.00am
- Hulse & Dillon family faithful departed
- Jenni Hulse
Friday November 13th, 10.00am
- Moore family & Tadhg Ryall – faithful departed
- Jenni Hulse
Sunday, November 15th, 11.30am
- Edwin D.Cunha
- Eugenie Bouchet & Kirstie Benson
- Rezende Family
- Rita D'Cunha
- Nat & Christopher Benson
- Nigel & Julia
Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out
Matthew 25:1-13
At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable, ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, “Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise answered, saying, “Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.” And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he answered, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.” Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.’
Reflection on the oil lamp
We tend to expect the bride to be a little late for her wedding. But in today’s Gospel, it is the bridegroom who keeps everyone waiting! We cannot be entirely sure of the precise way that the wedding ceremony took in the time of Jesus. It seems that it was customary for the groom to first go to the house of the bride early evening (often already dark outside) and then to take his bride, in procession, back to his own house for a celebratory meal. Although we cannot reconstruct every detail of these customs with certainty, the young women in the parable have an important role: to lead the procession with their lamps and then to welcome the bridegroom in his own house for when the procession arrives. They needed a lot of oil to keep their lamps lit for the entire proceedings. Their lamps would have brought both practical light and a festive glow to the darkness. We can imagine the excitement as those flames approached, announcing that the celebration was about to begin. But a flame needs fuel, and five of the women have brought no reserve of oil. They are ready for a wedding that runs to schedule; but they are unprepared for the long wait.
The bridegroom represents Christ, whose coming his followers await. It is a beautiful image to pause over: Jesus describes our meeting with him through the joy and closeness of a wedding. He comes to draw us into communion with himself. Yet the delay matters. Faith involves periods when God seems distant, prayers appear unanswered, and our early enthusiasm begins to fade. Interestingly, all ten women fall asleep with the long wait. The difference between them is the preparation they have made. Jesus knows that we grow tired. His question is whether we are tending the relationship that will sustain us through the waiting.
Jesus does not give us a precise definition of the oil, but we can see in it the steady nourishment of a life turned towards God: prayer, kindness, forgiveness and the quiet habit of doing what is right. These keep the flame alive when feelings alone can no longer sustain it. Others can encourage us, but they cannot live that relationship on our behalf. The closed door in our reading gives the story its urgency: we cannot keep postponing our response to God. Today is an opportunity to pray, to make peace, to offer the kindness and fling open the door!
Our little clay oil lamp was made in North Africa in the 4th century. It is small and can be held in the palm of a hand. Although it dates from several centuries after Jesus, it belongs to the same long tradition of oil lamps used throughout the ancient Mediterranean. It also carries a biblical story: its decoration depicts the enthroned King Nebuchadnezzar, a bust of the king raised on a column, and the three young men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who refused to worship his golden image. An everyday household object thus becomes a reminder of faithfulness under pressure. We can imagine how lighting such a lamp might have brought that story into the ordinary routines of a home. Yes, art was already used to tell the story of Salvation.
These lamps worked very simply. Oil, commonly olive oil, was poured through a filling hole into the hollow body (the two holes at the top). A wick made from plant fibres rested in the oil, with one end protruding through an opening at the nozzle. The wick absorbed the oil and fed it steadily to the flame. Keeping the light burning meant replenishing the fuel and tending the wick. These lamps were small, portable, ideal for processions, and thus ran out of oil quickly. However carefully made or beautifully decorated a lamp might be, it cannot fulfil its purpose without fuel. Our faith, too, needs nourishment if it is to bring the light of Christ into the lives around us.