MABUTING BALITA

AGOSTO 29, 2022 – Lunes sa Ika – 22 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Paggunita – Ang Pagpapasakit ni San Juan, ang Tagapagbinyag, martir

Ebanghelyo: Mark 6:17-29

Si Herodes ang nagpahuli kay Juan, at ipinakadena ito sa kulungan dahil kay Herodias na asawa ng kanyang kapatid na si Felipe.Pinakasalan ni Herodes si Herodias at sinabi ni Juan kay Herodes: “Hindi mo pwedeng kasamahin ang asawa ng iyong kapatid.” Talaga ngang matindi ang galit ni Herodias kay Juan at gusto niya itong patayin, pero hindi niya magawa. Iginagalang ni Herodes si Juan dahil itinuturing niya itong mabuti at banal na tao, kaya pinanatili niya itong buhay. Nalilito matapos makinig kay Juan, gayunma'y gusto pa rin niyang marinig ito. At nagkaroon nga ng pagkakataon sa kaarawan ni Herodes, nang maghanda siya para sa kanyang mga opisyal, mga pinuno ng hukbo at mahahalagang tao sa Galilea. Pagkapasok ng anak ni Herodias, nagsayaw ito at nasiyahan naman sa kanya si Herodes at lahat ng nasa handaan. Sinabi ng hari sa dalagita: “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang anumang hingiin mo, kahit na ang kalahati ng aking kaharian.” Lumabas ang anak at tinanong ang kanyang ina: “Ano ang hihingin ko?” “Ang ulo ni Juan Bautista.” Agad niyang pinuntahan ang hari at sinabi: “Gusto kong ibigay mo sa akin agad ang ulo ni Juan Bautista sa isang bandeha.” Nalungkot ang hari dahil sa sinumpaan niyang pangako sa harap ng mga bisita ngunit ayaw niyang tumanggi. Kaya iniutos ng hari sa isa niyang guwardiya na dalhin si Juan. Pinugutan nito si Juan sa kulungan, inilagay sa isang bandeha ang kanyang ulo, ibinigay sa dalagita at ibinigay naman ito ng dalagita sa kanyang ina. Nang mabalitaan ito ng mga alagad ni Juan, dumating sila para kunin ang kanyang katawan at inilibing.

Pagninilay:

Naranasan mo na ba ang maipit sa sitwasyon na kailangan mong mamili sa tama at mali? Ngunit sa pagpiling ito ay may humahadlang sayo na piliin ang tama. Sa ating Ebanghelyo ngayon narinig natin ang istorya sa pagpaslang kay San Juan Bautista na kung saan siya ay pinugutan dahil sa utos ni Herod na siyang kahilingan ng anak ni Herodias. Sa pangyayaring ito napilitan si Herod na sundin ang kahilingan sapagkat ayaw niyang mapahiya sa kaniyang mga bisita kahit na mabigat ito sa kaniyang kalooban. Mga kapanalig sa ating buhay may mga pagkakataon na tayo ay susubukin. Darating ang panahon na ang ating paninidigan ay masusubok lalo na sa pagdedesisyon. Kaya naman lagi nating tatandaan ano man ang mga desiyon na ating gagawin palagi nating isaisip ang kabutihan na maidudulot nito. Sa ating panalangin ngayong araw hilingin natin sa Diyos na bigyan tayo ng lakas ng loob na manindigan sa kung ano ang tama kahit na may mga taong hindi sumasang-ayon ang mahalaga ito ay sang-ayon sa kagustuhan ng Diyos. Amen. Cl. Melvin Dela Cruz, SSP

ST. JEANNE JUGAN l PATRON OF THE DESTITUTE ELDERLY

Feast Day - August 30 

 “We must spoil the poor all we can,” our saint for today used to say. It is no wonder that St. Jeanne Jugan founded a congregation of women who take care of the elderly and poor people. Jeanne was born in Cancale, France on October 25, 1792, the youngest in a family with six children. Her father, who was a fisherman, was lost at sea when she was four, so she experienced poverty since childhood. She had little education and when she was 18, she worked for a rich family as a kitchen help. At this age, she was very sure she wanted to love Jesus alone, that was why when a promising sailor proposed marriage to her, she refused. Jeanne told her mother that “God wanted her for Himself.” Jeanne also worked as a nursing aide in a hospital, but the work was too much for her so, she went back to her work as a house maid. Thus, her youthful years were spent in working for others. When Jeanne was 47 years old, she decided to care for the poor and elderly. Together with a friend, she rented a small apartment and took in an elderly woman who was blind. She gave to the woman her bed and she slept at the attic. In a short while two friends joined them. A second infirm was taken in. Three years later, in 1840, Jeanne and her three companions left the small apartment and rented a bigger one. The Brothers of the St. John of God encouraged them to go around the city to collect food and old clothes for the poor they have adopted. Requests for admission in her home increased while a few more women joined their company. On May 29, 1842, Jeanne was elected as superior of the group and they were given a name “” Servants of the Poor.” However, a year later, the priest who was present when she was chosen annulled her election and put someone else in her place. Jeanne accepted this decision with humility and silence and resumed her usual work of collecting food and useful things for the poor. Soon many benefactors came to help them financially. In 1844, the name of the institute was changed to “Sisters of the Poor.” On February 10, 1849, the name “Little Sisters of the Poor” was adopted and it is the present name of the Institute. Many women joined the group and on May 29, 1852, they got the diocesan approval. Meanwhile, Jeanne continued to walk towards her Calvary. She was not recognized in the group but she never claimed anything that she had done in the past. She was also prohibited from contacting benefactors and was told to stop her activities. When she was assigned to the Motherhouse, she was treated like any ordinary member. She died at the age of 86, unrecognized and unknown. Miracles, however, followed her death. Twenty years after her death, the truth about her was revealed and it was made known to all that she was the real foundress of the Institute. At her beatification on October 3, 1982, Pope John Paul II declared her as “the most humble woman of Cancale, France.” She was canonized on October 11, 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI.  St. Jeanne Jugan always encouraged her Sisters to love the poor.“In serving the poor, it is God Himself you are serving. Be a beautiful rose of charity to them. Love them very much.” The poor and elderly that the Little Sisters of the Poor serve are well-cared in comfortable and well-equipped homes, in obedience to St. Jugan’s words: “We must spoil the poor all we can.” 

Virtue: humility, silence, simplicity, charity, generous, obedience, self-sacrifice “St. Jeanne Jugan, help us to imitate your love and care for the elderly and the poor.”

GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 29, 2022 - Monday of 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

Passion of Saint John the Baptist, martyr

Gospel: Mk 6:17-29 

17Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and  put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,  because Herod had married her. 18For John had been telling Herod,  “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19And Herodias  had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could  not, 20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and  holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly  perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21But an opportunity  came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers  and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22When his daughter  Herodias*  came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests;  and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I  will give it.” 23And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me,  I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24She went out and said  to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of  John the baptizer.” 25Immediately she rushed back to the king and  requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist  on a platter.” 26The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his  oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27Immediately  the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head.  He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28brought his head on a  platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.  29When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and  laid it in a tomb.

The truth holds the key to freedom (cf. Jn 8:32), that is why  something within the human heart is always fascinated  with the truth, even if in the end, the person chooses to  suppress it and silence its voice. Even the wicked king Herod Antipas  experienced this mixture of disturbance and fascination as he listened  to John the Baptist, the uncompromising prophet-of-truth. Just as a  spark of light draws the eyes and holds a person’s attention, so does  truth beckon its hearer. But because the naked truth inflicts pain,  many are unable to withstand it and keep their gaze fixed on it. They  end up getting rid of the announcer of the truth, in an attempt to  eliminate the truth. But the truth is indestructible because it is of the  essence of God. 

Lord Jesus, strengthen us in our commitment to the truth, especially in  the face of opposition. Amen.

GOSPEL  POWER l AUGUST 28, 2022 - SUNDAY

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Lk 14:1, 7-14 

1 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of  the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him  closely. …7 When Jesus noticed how the guests chose the places of  honor, he told them a parable. 8 “When you are invited by someone nor, he told them a parable. 8 “When you are invited by someone  to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case  someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host;  9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you,  ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to  take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at  the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you,  ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence  of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt themselves  will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  12He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a  luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers  or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in  return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet,  invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will  be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at  the resurrection of the righteous.” 

Today’s Gospel is told in the form of a parable, which  means that Jesus is not simply commenting on the table  manners of the dinner guests, nor just giving tips to the host  on how to plan the guest list for his next party. Rather, he is inviting  his listeners to reconsider their behavior in the light of the great  reversal that will take place in the heavenly banquet. For the way we  carry ourselves today and the choices we make now will have eternal  implications. Positions and ranks that matter in this world are totally  irrelevant in the heavenly banquet, where seats are assigned by the  Host who knows the hearts of the guests and probes their hidden  intentions. Jesus consistently taught that the Kingdom belonged to  the childlike, and the privileged recipients of the Good News were  the poor. These are the ones who are most dependent on God’s  paternity and who acknowledge God’s sovereignty over their lives. To  throw a dinner party for them now is to anticipate the celebration of  the heavenly banquet. Lord Jesus, help us to align our choices today with the upside-down  values of the Kingdom. Amen.

MABUTING BALITA

AGOSTO 28, 2022 – LINGGO

Ika – 22 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Ebanghelyo:  Lc 14:1, 7-14

Isang Araw ng Pahinga, pumasok si Hesus sa bahay ng isang pinuno ng mga Pariseo para kumain, at minanmanan naman nila siya. May talinghaga siyang sinabi nang mapuna niyang pinipili ng mga inimbita ang mga unang puwesto: “Kung anyayahan ka sa isang kasalan, huwag kang lumagay sa unang puwesto. Baka may kinumbidang mas importante kaysa sa iyo, at darating ang kumumbida sa inyong dalawa para sabihing ‘ibigay mo sa kanya ang puwestong ito.’ Kaya mapapahiya ka’t pupunta sa huling puwesto. Sa halip, kung anyayahan ka, sa huling puwesto ka pumunta sapagkat pagdating ng kumumbida sa iyo, sasabihin niya sa iyo: ‘Kaibigan, lumapit ka pa.’ Kaya mapararangalan ka sa harap ng lahat ng inanyayahan. Sapagkat ibababa ang lahat ng nagpapakataas at itataas ang nagpapakababa.” Sinabi ni Hesus sa puno ng mga Pariseo na nag-anyaya sa kanya: “Kung maghahanda ka ng tanghalian o hapunan, huwag mga kaibigan mo o mga kapatid mo o mga kamag-anak mo o mayayamang kapitbahay ang iyong kumbidahin, baka kumbidahin ka rin nila at susuklian ka. Kung maghahanda ka, mga dukha, mga bale-wala, mga pilay at mga bulag ang kumbidahin mo at magiging mapalad ka dahil hindi ka nila masusuklian ngunit sa pagkabuhay ng mga mabuti ka susuklian.

Pagninilay:

Hindi man maganda ang pangunahing intensyon sa pag-imbita kay Jesus ng lider ng mga Pariseo sa isang salo-salo, pinagbigyan pa rin niya ito. Binantayan ang bawat kilos niya at galaw; naghanap ang grupo ng mga Pariseo ng maipipintas sa kanya. Para kay Jesus, pati ang mga Pariseo ay kailangang abutin para mapabilang sa pagliligtas ng Diyos kaya’t hindi niya pinalampas ang okasyong iyon. Si Jesus ang agad nakapansin ng hindi magandang pangyayari sa salo-salong dinaluhan niya. Nagbabalyahan ang mga bisita at maraming naghahangad makakuha ng puwesto na pinakamalapit sa unahan at sa gitna kung saan nakaupo ang nagpa-piging at nakapalibot ang mga mahahalagang panauhin. Para sa mga Judio, apat na kategorya ng tao lamang ang dapat mong anyayahan sa piging: mga kaibigan, mga kapatid, mga kamag-anak at mga mayayamang kapit-bahay. Nagmamaneobra ang ilang mga panauhin para mapalampi sa mga mayayaman at makadaup-palad ang makapangyarihan na nasa piging. Habang pinagmamasdan ni Jesus ang pag-aagawan sa mga importanteng puwesto, itinuro niya ang pagpili ng upuan sa piging ng kaharian ng Diyos. Piliin ang puesto sa likod, katulad ng publikano na taimtim na nagdasal sa sulok ng Templo. Katulad rin ng halimbawa ni Jesus sa Huling Hapunan kung saan pinili niyang gampanan ang pinakamababang tungkulin na paghuhugas sa mga paa ng mga apostol. Malulugod ang Diyos sa kababaang-loob ng dumadalo sa piging, at dadalhin sila mula sa likod patungo sa upuang nasa unahan. Sa pagtatapos ng pangangaral ni Jesus, hindi lamang siya nagsalita tungkol sa piging na kanyang dinaluhan. Ginamit niya ang piging na iyon at ginawang isang parabola. Sa halip na imbitahin ang apat na kategorya ng mga tao sa lipunan ng mga Judio, itinuro ni Jesus na kailangang imbitahin ang panibagong apat na kategorya ng mga bisita: mga lulubi, mga pingkaw, mga pilay at mga bulag ang mga anyayahan. Isa bagong piging ang paghahari ng Diyos kung saan walang pinipili at tinatapon. Pati mga taong nasaktan, nagkamali, nagkasala at yaong mga hirap sa buhay – lahat sila ay ibinibilang sa bagong piging ng Diyos. Fr. Paul, SSP

GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 27, 2022 - Saturday of 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Monica

Gospel: Mt 25:14-30 

Jesus told his disciples this parable: 14“For it is as if a man, going  on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to  them; 15to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to  each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16The one who had  received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and  made five more talents. 17In the same way, the one who had the two  talents made two more talents. 18But the one who had received the  one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s  money. 19After a long time the master of those slaves came and  settled accounts with them. 20Then the one who had received the five  talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you  handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’  21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave;  you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge  of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22And the one with  the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over  to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23His master  said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been  trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things;  enter into the joy of your master.’ 24Then the one who had received  the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you  were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering  where you did not scatter seed; 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid  your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26But his  master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I  reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27Then  you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28So  take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.  29For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an  abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have  will be taken away. 30As for this worthless slave, throw him into the  outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” 

The Kingdom of heaven is the expression Jesus uses to  speak of his heavenly Father’s rule and concerns. Today’s  parable, popularly known as “the parable of the talents,” is  really about the Father’s act of empowering us to grow in responsibility.  He risks entrusting his wealth to us because only by doing so, can he  form us into responsible citizens of the Kingdom. Acting responsibly  in small matters is rewarded with greater responsibilities. The third  servant typifies people who fear responsibilities and come up with  all sorts of excuses to avoid them. He even has the guts to blame the  master’s character for failing to use the talent that he received. The  parable suggests a direct relationship between being responsible and  participating in the master’s joy. The third servant deprives himself  of such participation because he loses the opportunity given him to  grow in responsibility. 

Lord Jesus, may we show appreciation for the talents the Father bestowed  on us by using them responsibly. Amen.

MABUTING BALITA

AGOSTO 27, 2022 – Sabado sa Ika – 21 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Paggunita kay Santa Monica

Ebanghelyo: Mt. 25:14-30

Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Ipagpalagay natin na may isang tao, na bago mangibambayan ay tinawag ang kanyang mga katulong at ipinagkatiwala sa kanila ang kanyang mga ari-arian. Limang talentong pilak ang ibinigay niya sa una, dalawa naman sa isa pa, at isa sa pangatlo, batay sa kaya ng bawat isa. At saka umalis. Pagkaraan ng matagal na panahon, bumalik ang amo ng mga katulong na ito at hiningan sila ng pagsusulit. Kaya lumapit ang nakatanggap ng limang talento dala ang tinubong lima pang bareta at sinabi: ‘Panginoon ipinagkatiwala mong limang bareta sa akin at tingnan mo, tumubo pa ako ng limang talento.’ Sumagot ang amo: ‘Mabuti, mabait at matapat na katulong; dahil naging tapat ka sa kaunting bagay, pagkakatiwalaan kita ng higit pa rito. Halika at makibahagi sa kaligayahan ng iyong panginoon.’ Sa bandang huli, dumating ang nakatanggap ng isang talento at nagsabi: ‘Panginoon, alam kong mahigpit kang tao, inaani mo ang di mo itinanim at nililikom ang hindi mo ipinagnenegosyo, natakot ako kaya itinago ko yong talento sa lupa. Heto ang sa iyo.’ Ngunit sinagot siya ng kanyang amo: ‘Masama at walang kuwentang katulong. Alam mo palang inaani ko ang hindi ko itinanim at nililikom ang hindi ko ipinagnenegosyo. Sana’y dinala mo sa bangko ang aking pilak at mababawi ko ang sa akin pati na ang tubo pagdating ko. Kaya kunin ang talento sa kanya at ibigay ito sa may sampu pa. Sapagkat sa sinumang meron, bibigyan pa s’ya at magkakaroon ng sagana, ngunit ang wala, maging ang sa kanya ay aagawin sa kanya. Para sa walang silbing katulong, itapon siya sa dilim kung saan may iyakan at pagngangalit ng ngipin.’”

Pagninilay:

MABUTING BALITA

AGOSTO 26, 2022 – Biyernes sa Ika – 21 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Santa Maria de Jesus Crucificado

Ebanghelyo: Mt 25:1-13

Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Tinutukoy ng kuwentong ito ang mangyayari sa Kaharian ng Langit. Sampung abay na dalaga ang lumabas na may dalang lampara para sumalubong sa nobyo. Hangal ang lima sa kanila, at matalino naman ang lima pa. Dinala ng mga hangal na abay ang kanilang mga lampara nang walang reserbang langis. Ngunit dinala naman ng matatalino ang kanilang mga lampara na may reserbang langis. Natagalan ang nobyo kaya inantok silang lahat at nakatulog. Ngunit nang hatinggabi na, may tumawag: ‘Dumarating na ang nobyo; lumabas kayo at salubungin siya!’ Nagising silang lahat noon at inihanda ang kanilang lampara. Sinabi ng mga hangal sa matatalino: ‘Bigyan naman ninyo kami ng inyong langis dahil mahina na ang ningas ng aming lampara.’ Sumagot ang matatalino: ‘Baka kulangin ang langis para sa amin at para sa inyo. Mabuti pang pumunta kayo sa mga nagtitinda at bumili para sa inyo.’ Nakaalis na sila para bumili nang dumating ang nobyo; ang mga handa na ay sumama sa nobyo sa kasalan, at isinara ang pinto. Pagkatapos ay saka dumating ang iba pang mga dalaga at tumawag: ‘Panginoon, Panginoon, pagbuksan kami!’ Ngunit sumagot siya: ‘Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi ko kayo kilala.’ Kaya magbantay kayo sapagkat hindi ninyo alam ang araw o ang oras.”

Pagninilay:

Naranasan mo na bang maiwan? Magkakahalong hirap, lungkot at sakit ‘di ba? Minsan, naranasan ko ring maiwanan. Nag hihintay ako sa isang motorsiklo na sasakyan ko sana mula sa paaralan pauwi sa aming barangay. Medyo natagalan bago dumating ang kausap kong motorsiklo kaya pumunta muna ako saglit sa isang kakilala. Naisip ko na baka medyo matagal pa siguro yun bago dumating. Pagbalik ko, sinabihan ako ng mga nakatambay sa daan na naka-alis na ang motor na kausap ko. Kaya wala akong ibang nagawa kundi maglakad na lang pauwi. Sa ebanghelyo, ang mga naghihintay sa Paghahari ng Diyos ay ihinalintulad sa sampung dalaga. Tulad nila, hindi natin hawak ang panahon sa ating mga kamay. Kaya ng dapat lagi tayong handa. Ngunit madalas ay mainipin tayo sa paghihintay. Iniisip natin na "Matagal pa naman yun", o kaya’y “Pwede pa naman siguro akong magliwaliw muna at gumawa ng kalokohan. May panahon pa naman ako para magsisi at hindi pa naman ako siguro kukunin ni Lord.” Mga kapatid, hindi natin alam kung kalian magaganap ang mga huling araw. Hindi natin masasabi kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari bukas at sa mga susunod pang mga araw.Sa ating pagwawalang bahala at maling akala, baka maiwan tayo. Kaya nga kung maaari naman na gumawa ng kabutihan ngayon, huwag na nating ipagpabukas. Lagi tayong inaanyayahan ng Diyos na gumawa ng kabutihan araw araw. Kahit kailan dumating ang takdang panahon, daratnan tayong sisik ng kabutihan ang ating puso at handang tanggapin ang Paghahari ng Diyos sa ating buhay.  Sem. Kerence Fritz Faderanga, SSP

GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 26, 2022 - FRIDAY

21st Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mt 25:1-13  

Jesus said to his disciples, 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be  like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the  bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When  the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise  took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed,  all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a  shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then  all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish  said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going  out.’ 9 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.’  10And 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. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord,  open to us.’ 12But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Parables are not only stories that make a single point. They  engage their hearers by provoking them to react, to ask  questions, think deeply, and respond to their own questions,  thus gaining better insight into what Jesus wants to convey about  the Kingdom of heaven. The parable of the ten virgins portrays the  necessity of readiness and staying awake, for the Kingdom is a reality  whose appearance cannot be predicted. If five of the virgins are gifted  with wisdom and, thus, have foresight to provide themselves with  extra oil, should not that wisdom be exercised also to help those who  are foolish and lack foresight? The wise have a responsibility toward  the foolish, since “more will be demanded of the person entrusted with  more” (cf. Lk 12:48). But here, the wise failed to help the foolish when  there was still time, because like the foolish, they also fell asleep.  This must be why Jesus ends the parable with the strong call, “Stay  awake!” The time of waiting for the bridegroom is meant to be spent  making one’s gifts beneficial not only to oneself but also to others. 

Lord Jesus, help us to place all our gifts at the service of others and for  the fulfillment of the purposes of the heavenly Kingdom. Amen.

Word and Songs: 

St. Monica, Model Of Persevering Prayer - Patron Saint Of Mothers and Wives

with Sr. Lines Salazar, fsp