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Sharing the Word is a daily 90-second radio homily by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk, based on the weekday Mass readings. Sharing the Word is a companion to the Sunday Soundbite,and is also heard on Catholic radio stations around the country.

Program for Friday, August 31, 2012 (Friday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time)
We watch for the coming of the kingdom by putting our relationship with the Lord at the very center of our daily life here and now.

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Sharing the Word Archive

Today's Reading

Matt. 25:1-13

The parable of the virgins raises questions about watchfulness.

First, why should we be watchful for the coming of the kingdom? Because if we aren’t, the kingdom may become unimportant to us. The central reality of our existence, eternal life with Christ, can become just one more religious abstraction. Our lives will have no real direction.

Secondly, how should we watch for the coming of the kingdom? By putting our relationship with the Lord at the very center of our daily life here and now. Prayer, loving attention to our neighbor, consistent gratitude to God: all these are ways to keep ourselves aware that the Lord Jesus is on His way, to judge the living and the dead.

Third question: how wakefully do I watch?

Meet Archbishop Pilarczyk

Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk, the eighth ordinary of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio, is a nationally prominent churchman, educator and author. A native of Dayton, Ohio, he was ordained a priest on December 20, 1959, after studies in Rome. He was ordained bishop in 1974 and installed as Archbishop of Cincinnati in 1982, where he served until his retirement in 2009. In addition to a doctorate in sacred theology from Pontifical Urban University, he holds an M.A. in classics from Xavier University in Cincinnati and a Ph.D. in classics from the University of Cincinnati. He has written more than a dozen popular books and many pamphlets and articles. His best-selling book is Twelve Tough Issues – And More. His most recent books are When God Speaks and Live Letters. The archbishop’s service to the American church includes terms as vice president (1986-1989) and president (1989-1992) of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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