the 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 scribble
The Bridegroom is one of my favorite images of Jesus. As his bride, we await his arrival with anticipation. This is a very intimate and vulnerable image, to be a bride. There is a submission, a preparation of the heart, a willingness to give ourselves as a gift to another.
Are we awake and ready to receive Him as a wife receives her husband - uniting into one flesh? This image is not meant to be erotic but elevates the spiritual unity we experience when we receive the Eucharist on a weekly or daily basis. The self-gift He offers us. He enters in and we willingly receive Him.
Our lamps can represent the self-gift we have to offer Him. The oil is a purified heart. Are we wasting our light on trivial matters? Are we giving ourselves away to worldly enticements which burn our oil before He arrives?
Where do you need to be purified and obtain the oil now to have in reserve for His coming? For me, the oil is attending the Mass weekly or daily, frequenting Confession, daily prayer, the Rosary, and serving my family. Take a moment to reflect where He is calling you to unite with Him, experience His Mercy, and get your lamp in order so you may receive His gift openly.
Today’s devotion was written by Diana Giard
