Gospel

Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable:

"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, when taking their lamps,

brought no oil with them,

but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.

Since the bridegroom was long delayed,

they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight, there was a cry,

'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.

The foolish ones said to the wise,

'Give us some of your oil,

for our lamps are going out.'

But the wise ones replied,

'No, for there may not be enough for us and you.

Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'

While they went off to buy it,

the bridegroom came

and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.

Then the door was locked.

Afterwards the other virgins came and said,

'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'

But he said in reply,

'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'

Therefore, stay awake,

for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Reflection

Nothing is clearer in Scripture in that God wants to have a relationship with us that is personal and intimate. It’s the image of the wedding banquet. In order to enter into that, we’re given in this parable an image of wisdom and foolishness.

And it seems the major difference is one understands what is required and what it's going to take, and they do everything they need to do on their part so that they can be gifted with this relationship. It's about paying attention, about intention that you really want this union, and if you want it enough, you'll be prepared.

Closing Prayer

Father, give us the enthusiasm to work toward what we're called to be, in you, and with you, and for you. We tend to think it's going to come later or we put things off, but let us be attentive to needing and asking for everything that will help us to enter the kingdom of God. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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