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 would simply 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 carefully prepares his battle plan 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 only has a few months to live and who
prepares for his death will be able to die without excess baggage in his heart.
Should we also prepare as early as now for our ascent to heaven someday?
– Marino J. Dasmarinas
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