***
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
This is a parable about endurance.
It begins on an equal playing field. Ten virgins lit their lamps, awaiting the bridegroom. After the bridegroom is delayed, all fell asleep. Finally, when the bridegroom’s arrival nears, the foolish and the wise are revealed.
The wise brought an extra flask of oil, while the foolish did not.
***
What might the Lord be saying to us?
***
As Christians, we must constantly replenish our spiritual reserves.
For example, it’s one thing to play peacemaker for a day. It’s another thing to be a peacemaker year after year. If we are going to strive for peace in our hearts, homes, and beyond, then we need an extra flask of oil, as it were.
It’s one thing to be generous with our time or talent for a day. It’s another thing to live life generously.
It’s one thing to forgive a slight misgiving. It’s another thing to have an attitude of forgiveness.
***
Where does this extra flask of oil come from? How do we develop spiritual reserves, replenishing us throughout our lives?
Pray. Spend a few quiet moments with the Lord each day, often enough in silence.
As the Lord says through the prophet Jeremiah, “I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”
Simply open your heart and allow the Lord to fill it, again, and again.
***
***
Image credits: (1) Sunday Social (2) Fine Art America (3) Christianity.com