Sr. Sharon CMC
READING: “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’“ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
REFLECTION: The bridegroom is Jesus Christ, and this parable describes His return. This parable emphasises on readiness and preparation. Jesus always exhorts His disciples to be ready for His return but his coming is not known and it is also delayed. In this parable we can see the prominence laid on being ready and prepared for the delayed coming of our Lord. The parable sets before us two groups of people labelled as wise and foolish based on their performance, their foolishness or wisdom is obvious in their preparation. St. Jerome says, “Be ever engaged, so that whether it is God or devil, may find your hands full.” The parable warns us, if we fail to repent we will be condemned. The titles ‘wise’ and ‘foolish’ can be identified as those who obey and accept Jesus and those who do not obey and do not accept Jesus’ teaching. The parable also reminds us about false disciples or pseudo disciples who seems to be following the Lord but pretentious, lacking commitment. To such people the Lord says that “truly I tell you, I do not know you.” It would be a great disgrace for us Christians, who are entitled as having chosen by the Lord and are failed to enter the Kingdom of God, due to lack of vigilance and preparedness. Let us examine to what category we belong.
PRAYER: Dear Lord you always exhorted us
to be prepared for the coming of the Lord at an unexpected time and hour, we pray for the grace to be alert in our spiritual life. Grant us the deep desire to serve you by keeping your commands in our daily life and also teach others to obey them. May our life of watchfulness be a hope for others who live in spiritual blindness.
CONTEMPLATION: Let us look into ourselves and examine am I ready to receive the Lord with my lamps lit or am I running short of oil. Let us reflect what more preparation I need to receive the Lord. He comes to us every time we receive the Holy Communion, and do we really experience that union. Let us place ourselves into the hands of the Lord may He transform us according to His likeness. May our Lord ignite our lamps with the oil of love.
ACTION: Do everything with the thought of the Lord and help others to live in the hope of the Lord.
