“Five of them were wise, and five were foolish” — Saint Matthew 25:2

On this Monday of Holy Week, the Church places before us the parable of the ten bridesmaids. All ten were invited. All ten belonged. All ten had lamps. All ten were meant to carry light into the darkness. And yet—only some truly shone. The difference was not calling, but preparedness. Not invitation, but interior readiness. Some carried oil. Others did not.

This is the quiet warning of spiritual life: it is possible to be near the Kingdom, to look the part, to carry the lamp—and still lack the inner fire. The oil represents what is hidden: prayer when no one sees, faithfulness in small things, a heart watchful for God. Without this, the lamp grows dim.

As Saint Gregory of Nyssa writes, “The lamp shines outwardly, but its life is fed from within.” The light we show the world must be sustained by a living relationship with God.

Holy Week reminds us: it is not enough to belong—we must be awake. Today, ask ourselves: Is my lamp burning, or merely present? Am I living from inner devotion, or outward appearance? The Bridegroom is coming. And when He arrives, it will not matter how close we stood, but whether our light was alive. For we are all called to carry the light—but only those who tend the flame will enter into the joy of His presence.