New apostolic exhortation "C'est la confiance", for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. And Gospel of the day.

I've started a bit late to give as much time as i'd like for the apostolic exhortation, but i will certainly read it more attentively tomorrow.

Angelus of this week :
[God] does not propose to us a relationship of subjection, but rather of fatherhood and sonship, which is necessarily conditioned by our free assent. (...)
Saint Augustine uses a very beautiful expression in this regard, saying : “He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent” (Sermon CLXIX, 13)
(...)
Why do men refuse His invitation ?
Was it perhaps an unpleasant invitation ? No, (...) they did not care because they were thinking of their own affairs.
(...)
Often, we struggle to have free time, but today Jesus invites us to find the time that frees : the time to dedicate to God, that lightens and heals our hearts, that increases peace, confidence, and joy in us, that saves us from evil, loneliness, and loss of meaning.
It is worth it, because it is good to be with the Lord, to make space for him. Where ? In the Mass, in listening to the Word, in prayer and also in charity.
(...)
Let us ask ourselves, then : how do I respond to God’s invitations ? What space do I give him in my days ?
Does the quality of my life depend on my affairs and my free time, or on love for the Lord and for my brethren, especially those most in need ?
Let us ask ourselves this.

Third chapter of the book of Malachi :

Look, I am sending my messenger who will clear the path before me (...)
He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.
(...) You have spoken harshly about me, says the LORD ; but you say, “What have we spoken about you ?”
You said, “Serving God is useless. What do we gain by keeping his obligation or by walking around as mourners before the LORD of heavenly forces ? So now we consider the arrogant fortunate. Moreover, those doing evil are built up ; they test God and escape.”

Then those revering the LORD, each and every one, spoke among themselves. The LORD paid attention and listened to them.
Then a scroll of remembrance was written before the LORD about those revering the LORD, the ones meditating on his name.
On the day that I am preparing, says the LORD of heavenly forces, they will be my special possession. I will spare them just as parents spare a child who serves them.
You will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those serving God and those not serving him.

Gospel according to St.Matthew (25:1-13) :

‘Then 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 wise.
When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them ; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
[Is oil a metaphor for good deeds ? For a full spirit ?]

As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, "Look ! Here is the bridegroom ! Come out to meet him."
[Does it mean that they died ? That they were tested ?]

Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out".
But the wise replied, "No ! there will not be enough for you and for us ; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves."
[I don't understand, the bridegroom is near so why don't they have enough oil to share, and how can you buy oil ?]

And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet ; and the door was shut.
Later, the other bridesmaids came also, saying, "Lord, lord, open to us."
But he replied, "Truly I tell you, I do not know you."
Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Surah of the day 14:31-34 :
Tell My believing servants to establish prayer and donate from what We have provided for them—openly and secretly—before the arrival of a Day in which there will be no ransom or friendly connections.
It is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth and sends down rain from the sky, causing fruits to grow as a provision for you. He has subjected the ships for your service, sailing through the sea by His command, and has subjected the rivers for you.
He has ˹also˺ subjected for you the sun and the moon, both constantly orbiting, and has subjected the day and night for you.
And He has granted you all that you asked Him for. If you tried to count Allah’s blessings, you would never be able to number them.

Saint of the day : , Virgin, Doctor of the Church, discalced Carmelite

Not to be confused with Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, whose feast day was the 1st of October.