Daily Gospel Reflection
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August 27, 2021
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.”
“Why didn’t the wise virgins just share the light with the foolish ones?” My twelve-year-old niece posed questions about this gospel passage as we relaxed on the beach. “Why couldn’t two people hold one lamp at the same time?” Her compassion for the group of foolish virgins pointed to a discomfort with this parable I also had leading to an earnest question: Why not share light?
I was gobsmacked by her insights and heartened by the young girl as she schemed ways to sneak the foolish virgins into the wedding feast. We laughed and prayed together. It was much later, however, in reflecting on my affection for my niece that the key to Christ’s message seemed clearer. To me, this parable is not about who gets into the feast and who doesn’t. It is, instead, about how God created each and every person to shine.
Upon his arrival at the wedding feast, the bridegroom (who I interpret as Christ) desires to see many individual flames shining from personal lamps held by singular women. The wise women spent their day preparing light and readying themselves for a celebration. Their preparation was not selfish and individualistic; they were not hoarding oil for some future day. Each wise virgin prepared herself to rejoice, to shine personally, and through that task of preparation, to shine as a community of persons.
On the beach that day, my niece shined as she questioned, prodded the gospel, joked, and prayed. She was wise in the way that humans exist when they are fully alive.
What are the relationships or practices in our lives through which we share light? How might we prepare today to shine?
Prayer
No one can know the day or time of the Lord’s coming for us. Therefore, Jesus says, be ready at all times, be true and faithful in our service to him, be honest and courageous in turning to him for forgiveness and mercy. Jesus called blessed the servant whom his master finds doing so. Lord, grant us perseverance and fidelity in our prayer. Give us confidence in your mercy for us. Let us be ready for your coming as we wait with the knowledge of your love for us.
Saint of the Day
St. Monica was, above all, a stubborn mother.
She was married at a young age to an adulterous government official with a violent temper. Years of Monica’s patience and prayer converted him to Christianity just before he died. She prayed unceasingly for her children as well, especially for her brilliant but wayward son, Augustine. Priests learned to avoid her because of her persistence in asking for prayers for him.
She followed Augustine as he pursued studies in Carthage and Rome, praying at shrines and chapels the whole way. They both finally arrived at Milan, where they met St. Ambrose. It was under Ambrose’s guidance that Augustine fulfilled his potential and became one of the most brilliant writers and thinkers the Church has ever known. After 17 years of constant prayer, Monica saw her son baptized when he was 32; St. Augustine’s feast day is tomorrow.
St. Monica is the patron saint of alcoholics, victims of abuse and adultery, widows, and mothers facing family difficulties. Her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. Her story and image are used by high school students who come to campus for a summer conference with the Notre Dame Vision program.
St. Monica, your prayer brought your family to Christ, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Monica is an illustration by Julie Lonneman, who holds exclusive rights to the further distribution and publication of her art. Used with permission.