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.
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Reflection:
Is there a magic
word for a successful marriage? Yes, there is and the magic word is
preparation. When a couple decides to marry they have to ensure that they
plunge into the marriage covenant prepared.
They have to be
prepared spiritually by putting God at the center of their lives. They have to
be prepared for the emotional and financial stress that they will be going
through. They have to be prepared to swallow their own prides/egos. If there
are no preparations their marriage will break apart sooner or later.
In the gospel the
five foolish virgins went unprepared to meet the bridegroom. They have no
knowledge of the time of the bridegroom’s arrival yet they did not bring extra oil
for their lamps.
So, when news came
that the bridegroom had arrived. The five
who were unprepared went out for a while to buy oil. But upon coming back
nobody was present anymore. For the bridegroom and the five wise virgins were
already at the wedding feast. Despite knocking at the door and begging to be
allowed entry the door was not opened for them.
Preparation is
important in any event of life. For example, a student who prepares for an
examination would be able to pass. A soldier who prepares for war will be able
to fight properly.
A Priest who
prepares for his homily will be able to touch and change hearts and minds. And a
person who has months to live and who prepares for his death will be able to
die without excess baggage in his heart.
Should you also
prepare for your ascent to heaven someday? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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