Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 25: 1-13
November 12, 2023 | Sunday

Today’s Gospel

This story throws light on what will happen in the kingdom of heaven: Ten bridesmaids went out with their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were sensible. The careless bridesmaids took their lamps as they were, and did not take extra oil. But those who were sensible took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom delayed, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight, a cry rang out, ‘The bridegroom is here, come out and meet him!’ All the maidens woke up at once and trimmed their lamps. Then the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some oil, for our lamps are going out.’ The sensible ones answered, ‘There may not be enough for us and for you. You had better go to those who sell, and buy some for yourselves.’ When the bridegroom came, the foolish maidens were out buying oil, but those who were ready went with him into the wedding feast, and the doors were shut. Later the other bridesmaids arrived and called out, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered, ‘Truly I do not know you.’ So stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Today’s Reflection:

Life is full of surprises: a larva metamorphoses into a colorful butterfly, a tiny seed turns into a tall tree, a thought reaps a destiny and a message can be received in an instant. The greatest surprise of all is when the Lord comes to judge us. The Gospel speaks of virgins who prepared for the coming of the Lord in spite of their anticipation was still surprised by the Lord’s arrival. It is not like the phenomena of a larva turning into a butterfly, or the sending and the receiving of messages, and so forth. The coming of the Lord reminds us to always stay alert like the wise virgins who brought an extra supply of oil for their lamps to keep them lit and to welcome the bridegroom. / Vulnerasti, 2023