November 8, 2026
We must not limit the idea of being ready to welcome the Lord to only at the moment of death.
GOSPEL
Matthew 25:11-13
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."
REFLECTIONS ON THE GOSPEL
First Impressions by Jude Siciliano, OP
This parable doesn’t sound very Christian, does it? Didn’t Jesus teach us to provide for the need, to take what we have and share it with those who have less? Jesus taught us about sharing in other ways, too. Remember the parable of the Last Judgment, when Jesus separates the sheep from the goats? The sheep were those who fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and visited those in prison. The goats did none of these things and, as a result, were cast away. We know that parable – but this isn’t that parable. Jesus has something else to say to us here. What an unusual parable! What is all this about ten virgins carrying lamps and waiting for the bridegroom? And why does he arrive at midnight to claim his bride? That doesn’t sound like any of our church weddings, does it? In those days, fathers arranged marriages and signed marriage contracts. Sounds like a business deal, doesn’t it? Where’s romance? Once the contract was signed, the bride remained in her family home for a year or more, until the groom came to take her to his home. The ten young women would have been friends and relatives of the bride’s family. Along with the bride, they would go to the groom’s house, where the wedding feast would begin. Now that sounds like a wedding! But the parable raises still more questions. Where would those five unprepared maidens find oil to buy at midnight? Jesus has something to say to us, so let’s allow him to tell the story in his own way. Our task is to listen, learn, and gain wisdom for our lives. What is wisdom, anyway? Is it another name for knowledge? Does having wisdom mean knowing all the answers or earning honors in school? Does it mean making a fortune on the stock market? A woman I know who teaches religious education was consulting the books on her desk to find a definition of wisdom. She decided to turn to an expert for a fresh perspective: her eleven-year-old daughter. The girl replied, “Wisdom means knowing right from wrong. A wise person knows what is right and does it.” It sounds as though she had been reading this parable! Back to the parable. Five maidens recognized what the occasion required and came prepared. The other five faced the same occasion but failed to prepare. They let time slip away. They thought, “Someone else will take up the slack.” The moment of truth seemed far off. But in the parable, the opportunity eventually passes. The time for deciding is gone. The time for acting has passed. All ten maidens were imperfect. All ten fell asleep. Like us, they were fallible. We, too, doze off and let things slip by. Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, those closest to Jesus fell asleep. So, this parable is a grace for us. It is a wake-up call. It challenges us to reflect and gives us time to make changes. It asks us: What steps do I need to take to be ready for the unexpected? What must I do now, before life surprises me? The truth is that we are neither completely foolish nor completely wise. Both are part of us. The wise part of us says, “There is something I have been wanting to change in my life.” Or “There is someone who needs my help – a sick person, someone in prison, or a hungry person who comes looking for food.” Or perhaps, “There is something troubling me, and I need to seek counsel and direction.” That is the wise part of us speaking. Wisdom calls us to act. Remember what the eleven-year-old said: “A wise person knows what is right and does it.” The foolish part of us delays. It procrastinates. We say, “There is still time to make that change,” or “I can always seek advice later.” We tell ourselves, “Someone else will step in and take care of that problem.” There is time. There is someone else. But perhaps there isn’t. The challenge comes at midnight, at the darkest hour. A crisis catches us by surprise, and suddenly there is no time to make up for what we have neglected. In the parable, the foolish maidens return after the opportunity has passed, only to find the door locked. It is too late. Can you hear that door shutting and locking? Remember the religious education teacher’s daughter who said, “A wise person knows what is right and does it”? Her mother went back to her and asked, “How does a person become wise?” The girl replied, “I guess you have to ask God for it.” We cannot buy wisdom, nor can we find a book that guarantees we will acquire it simply by reading its pages. Yet we urgently need wisdom throughout our lives. We are constantly called upon to make choices and act in situations that can be confusing and difficult. Without wisdom, we can make serious mistakes. Without wisdom, we may fail to recognize God’s presence in our lives. Wisdom is a gift from the Holy Spirit. God is not stingy with this gift, nor does God withhold it to test whether we deserve it. Wisdom is available to us through prayer and openness to God’s guidance. We need it whenever life challenges us – when, in the middle of the night, we hear an unexpected knock at the door and must decide whether and how to respond to the need or challenge before us.
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Justice Bulletin Board by Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
“Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.” —Wisdom 6:12
Sometimes I think that people today do not seek after wisdom as much as they did in the past. For Christians seeking wisdom, one must read the signs of the times, be open to various opinions, ponder informed views, and then discern the best path, one that Jesus would have taken. For instance, annually, the week before Thanksgiving is National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week (11/15-21, 2026) and was first held at Villanova University in 1975. This year, more than 700 colleges, high schools, and community groups across the country will come together during this week. This event is promoted by the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness, an organization committed to ending hunger and homelessness by educating, engaging, and training college students to directly meet individuals’ immediate needs while advocating for long-term systemic solutions. Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week; About Us | National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness. In seeking wisdom over the problem of hunger and homelessness, this is a time to question why we have hungry homeless people in our midst, then share our compassion, and work toward a world where no one must experience hunger or homelessness. The wisdom of Jesus is one of compassion and solidarity with the poor. Furthermore, wisdom says, “Being hungry and/or homeless is not a crime.” Let us begin our journey to create a world free of hunger and homelessness with these words from Pope Leo XIV: We cannot aspire to a more just social life if we are not willing to rid ourselves of the apathy that justifies hunger as if it were background music we have grown accustomed to, an unsolvable problem, or simply someone else's responsibility. We cannot demand action from others if we ourselves fail to honor our own commitments. By our omission, we become complicit in the promotion of injustice. We cannot hope for a better world, a bright and peaceful future, if we are not willing to share what we ourselves have received. Only then can we affirm — with truth and courage — that no one has been left behind (8). Wisdom teaches us that we can make a better way. To help with hunger and housing ministries at our parish, contact: socialconcern@hnojnc.org.
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Faith Book
Mini reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for people on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.
From today’s Gospel reading: [Jesus said to his disciples] "Therefore, stay awake, For you know neither the day nor the hour."
Reflection: Our daily routine can be shattered by the unexpected and sudden demands life puts on us and our loved ones. Will we be ready to respond? It depends on how well we have tended to our "oil" supply.
So, we ask ourselves:
What helps me "stay awake" and alert to God’s entrance into my daily life?
Is there a practice of prayer, or reflection, I can adopt to help me better respond to Christ each day?
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“Someone who says, ‘I’m against abortion’ but says, ‘I’m in favor of the death penalty,’ is not really pro-life.”—Pope Leo XIV
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to: Women on death row, 1034 Bragg St, Raleigh, NC 27610. Females are housed at NC Correctional Institution for Women
Moore Blanche #0288088 (On death row since 11/16/1990)
Carlette Parker #0311386 (4/1/1999)
For security reasons, use this address for mailing: Central Prison, PO Box 247, Phoenix MD 21131
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First Impressions by Jude Siciliano, OP
Every culture and religion has its own way of celebrating weddings. Each also has its risks getting things wrong. Weddings were a very big deal in Jesus’ day. Even more than now. Then, weddings could last the whole week! They might start late, well into the night, because the families had to negotiate the dowry before the wedding could begin. A long negotiating was a compliment to the bride; she was a treasure. Finally, when the dowry was settled, the groom would come and all would go out to meet him. They would need oil. Lots of oil. The feast would begin and, remember, it could last a week! Christians hearing the parable would liken the bridegroom to Christ. He was expected to return and begin the messianic banquet. They would also liken the foolish girls to less fervent Christians. Christians suffered for their faith and they were tempted to disappointment. Why doesn’t Jesus come and set things right? What’s taking him so long? We are attempted to ask the same questions these days. There’s a lot wrong with the world -- so much suffering! Ukrainians, Jews and Palestinians, and let’s not forget young Russian soldiers too. What to do? The parable speaks of vigilance, preparedness and watchfulness; especially in the face of such tragedies. We must not limit the idea of being ready to welcome the Lord to only the moment of death. That is not what the parable is saying. The kingdom of heaven begins here and now. Christ comes into our life every day, in many ways. But are our eyes and ears open to perceive his presence? Are we alert to welcome him and to respond to his invitation, “Follow me”? How might we be prepared when he does come? The kingdom of heaven is present when “kingdom activity” is taking place: the hungry are fed, the thirsty given water; the sick and imprisoned visited; homeless given shelter; refugees protected and the oppressed set free. We do not have to wait for death to experience the kingdom of heaven. The bridegroom Jesus comes to us to form us and lead us to the full life which has been made possible by his death and resurrection. This parable is the second of four stories Jesus tells about how we are to live until he comes. We might conclude from it that the virtuous are those who stay constantly alert. But note that all the virgins “became drowsy and fell asleep,” because the bridegroom was delayed. The difference between the wise and foolish virgins is that the wise ones are prepared and have brought extra oil to see them through their waiting for the bridegroom. He is delayed, but that does not mean that he will not come. It’s only when he comes that the celebrating begins. So, we are being asked to live in hope that what Jesus has promised will come to be, but for now we wait and hope. The parable contrasts wisdom and folly; being sensible and being silly. It’s an invitation to us. Which would we rather be? Ready, or distracted? The oil is a symbol for readiness, not just at the end of our lives, but now. Ready for any surprise, good or bad, which we must face in our lives. “Stay awake” -- Jesus’ advice to us today, especially at the key moments, the turning points, in our lives. Be prepared, be wise, then go ahead. What can help us stay awake, keep us alert to what’s happening in our lives now? The parable suggests what we already know: we need to learn patience. This is particularly true with God. God keeps us waiting. The bridegroom, Jesus Christ, arrives late and because he does, we might not
be prepared. The wise ones in the parable are prepared for the delay. We could enter into the parable and say something like: “I thought I brought enough oil to get me through the wedding. But the bridegroom is in charge, not me. My task is to be ready and prepared, even for the delay.” We are a fast-moving society. We don’t like delays. They are working on
the highway near us and people, myself included, complain about the delay the work causes. I was at a retreat center a while back and the internet was slow. I didn’t like waiting for the information I was looking for on my browser. So we ask ourselves: what is the oil I have in my lamp as I wait for the Lord to come? What do I need that will sustain me during the delay? As I look around at those who are “awake” in my faith community they seem to sustain themselves by a regular habit of prayer; worship with others; works of mercy; acts of justice and forgiveness. Is it any wonder that the wise virgins cannot share their oil. We can not share the spiritual reserves that keep us prepared to meet the Lord when he comes. A word about our second reading. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, the first written and official document of our Christian
faith. It was written about 20 years before the first gospel was written. It is important because it shows, from the beginning, that the faith of Jesus’ original disciples was not only in Jesus’ resurrection, but of our own as well. Believers in Jesus’ resurrection will share in his risen life. So our faith did not come from a long process of development and theological refinement as did, for example, the doctrine of the Trinity. Our belief in the resurrection and our share in it was there at
the very beginning. That is why Paul tells us we must, “not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.” Those who have “fallen asleep” ahead of us, will be given life by God and so shall we, as Paul advises, “console one another with these words.”
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Justice Bulletin Board by Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director, Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Raleigh, NC
“For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence.”—Wisdom 6:15
We could use more people seeking after Lady Wisdom these days. It would take those who would be willing to not rush to judgement. The perfection of prudence means the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason, or the skill and good judgment in the use of resources. For example, we need more everyday people to understand violence in its
various forms and then, be willing to advocate peacefully for change. In his book, “Spiral of Violence,” the late Archbishop of Recife in Brazil, Dom Helder Camara, Servant of God, speaks to a reality that happens repeatedly in our world and, as we see easily in hindsight, in the U.S. Jim Crow era. Camara tells us that, “There are three kinds of violence. The first, mother of all the others, is institutional violence. It legalizes and perpetuates domination, oppression, and exploitation. It crushes and eliminates millions of people in its silent and well-oiled cogs.” This primary, basic, number 1 violence is the everyday effect of structurally ingrained social injustice. For example, our now defunct U.S. Jim Crow laws had Black Americans sitting at the back of buses, going to separate schools, only using designated bathrooms and drinking fountains, only being allowed to live in certain areas, red-lining real estate to prevent mortgage approval, and so forth. Camara then states that this generates the second: “The second is revolutionary violence, which is born of the will to abolish the first.” This is a reactionary revolt by the oppressed or the young. The violence here is not necessarily from the oppressed. The Civil Rights Movement was a nonviolent movement against Jim Crow Laws where demonstrators were hosed, beaten, burned, or bombed. This becomes Camara’s third violence. Camara explains: “The third is repressive violence, which stifles the
second, by making itself the helper and accomplice of the first violence---the one that causes all the others.” Thus, institutional injustice (violence #1) is maintained through repression (violence #3) by those who hold the power. As Camara finally states, “There is no worse hypocrisy than only calling the second ‘violence,’ while pretending to forget the first one, that gives it life, and the third, that kills it.”It is my hope that you, the reader, will seek wisdom on this issue of violence in all its forms in today’s world. As Camara wisely declares, “Without justice and love, peace will always be a great illusion.”
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Faith Book
Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.
From today’s Gospel reading: [Jesus said to his disciples] "Therefore, stay awake, For you know neither the day nor the hour."
Reflection: Our daily routine can be shattered by the unexpected and sudden demands life puts on us and our loved ones. Will we be ready to respond? It depends on how well we have tended to our "oil" supply.
So we ask ourselves:
What helps me "stay awake" and alert to God’s entrance into my daily life?
Is there a practice of prayer, or reflection, I can adopt to help me
better respond to Christ each day?
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Reflection on Matthew 25:11-13 from Sacred Space: A Service of the Irish Jesuits
Trying to stay focused in the here and now is not an easy thing to do in modern living. There are many distractions and a lot of media buzz and hype that aim to drag our attention hither and thither. It was taking their eye off the ball that distracted the foolish virgins and meant that they were very ill-prepared for any unexpected happenings that might take place as they waited for the wedding feast to begin. We are well advised to look for God’s presence all around us on a regular basis, as signs and sightings of his presence – when noticed – are a wonderful grace that help us to achieve our aims. No matter when the groom arrives, if he has been part of my usual activities, I trust he will show himself to me along the way.
Further Reflection: This is a parable that can be undone by focusing on what seems like "selfishness" in the prepared bridesmaids. I need to ask the help of the Holy Spirit who inspired Jesus to speak in this way to help me to listen and humbly to learn. Jesus tells us that there is a right time and a time when it will be too late. I ask God's help that I may realise what it is I might do now, how I might recognise the approaching bridegroom and welcome him. Jesus, you were in Jerusalem, close to the showdown with your people. Many of them would be like the foolish virgins, caught unawares by the Messiah. The wise virgins would be those who recognised and followed Jesus. For me, millennia later, this speaks of the moments of grace and opportunity: as when a great love comes into my life, or a chance of reconciliation, or an unexpected blow. It comes unexpectedly, as a shock, and can find me fumbling. -Lord, give me the grace today to find you in every encounter. Make me ready to recognise you. The lamp is given us by God and our prayer or time given to God is the oil. All of God's action in our lives is his gift, but it needs our openness and welcome. Prayer builds up our 'supply of oil', which can give light and fragrance to the rest of our lives.
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Commentary on Matthew 25:1-13, from Living Space, a service of the Irish Jesuits
The second chapter of the Eschatological Discourse consists of three long parables, all of which are familiar to us. They have the common theme of preparation for the final coming of the Lord, whenever that will be. Today’s reading is the parable about the wise and foolish bridesmaids. The story likely reflects common wedding customs of the time. The bridesmaids who attend on the bride are waiting for the bridegroom to come. The time of his arrival is not known. Perhaps, at that time, it was his way of asserting his male authority from the very beginning of their marriage. In the story there are 10 bridesmaids altogether. Of these we are told five were “wise” and the others were “foolish”. The “wise” young women all brought an extra supply of oil with them while the “foolish” ones only had their lamps. The lamps consisted of oil-soaked rags at the top of a pole and needed to have oil added every 15 minutes or so. The bridegroom was long in coming. The implication is that he was taking much longer than expected. In fact, he was so long in coming that the bridesmaids all fell asleep. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, the call went up: Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him. Immediately the young women got ready and trimmed their torches. The charred edges had to be cut away and the rags soaked in more oil. The foolish ones immediately realised they were running out of oil. They ask their companions to share some of their oil. These refused on the grounds that there was not enough to go round and none of them would have enough. The foolish ones were told to go off and buy some more for themselves. However, while they were still away, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went into the marriage celebration with him and the doors were shut. When the foolish bridesmaids finally arrived with their new supply of oil, they found the doors closed in their face. They cried out: Lord, lord, open to us. But the bridegroom answered: Truly I tell you, I do not know you. Again this is a parable warning us all to be ready when the Lord comes. In the early Church, he had at first been expected to come in the very lifetime of the early Christians. This belief is reflected in the First Letter to the Thessalonians (read during the weekdays of the Cycle 1 First Readings), which is the earliest writing of the New Testament. But Jesus did not come and, by the time Matthew’s Gospel appeared, people were beginning to realise that his coming could be in a more distant future. It is in this context that today’s parable gives a warning. If the Lord was not going to come soon, then some people might begin to take things easy and become lax in their living of the gospel. Today’s passage suggests that that is not a very wise way of behaving. The bridegroom may not have come when expected, but he did come. And, when he came, half of the group were not ready. In other places, Jesus has warned that the: ..day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matt 24:36) Because: the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (1 Thess 5:2) The only policy is constant readiness. If we are not ready and he does come, then we may find the doors closed and hear what are perhaps the most chilling words in the whole Gospel: …I do not know you. In John’s Gospel, Jesus says that, as the Shepherd, he knows his sheep and they know him. Not to be known by Jesus means to have broken our relationship with him through sinful and loveless behaviour. To be in that state when he comes is truly tragic. The choice is ours, as we have been given adequate warning. While the Gospel is speaking about the final or eschatological coming of Jesus as King and Lord, it would be very complacent of us to think that there are no signs of its happening in the near future. That would put us in the same category as the foolish bridesmaids! While the final coming may still be far off, our own rendezvous with the Lord can be at any time. For all practical purposes, that is the time for which we must be prepared. Our news media is full of reports of lives being cut short by accident, illness or violence. Any of us could be one of those victims, young and in perfect health with a whole life before us. But the Lord calls when he calls. Will I have ‘oil in my lamp’? That is, what would I be able to show the Lord in terms of gospel-centred living? Maybe we think the “wise” young women in the story were selfish not to have shared their oil, but there are some things which we have to bring to the Lord on our own. We cannot borrow the good life that someone else has led. It has to be totally ours. Clearly, the best way to prepare is not to think anxiously of the future, but to concentrate on the here and now. Let us learn to live totally in the present, to seek and find God there. If we can do that, then all the rest will take care of itself. And, whether the Groom arrives early or late, it will not matter. Because he has been constantly part of our everyday lives. And, apart from the insurance that it gives, is it not by far the best way to spend our days?
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ENCOUNTER CHRIST REFLECTIONS AND MEDITATIONS
Preparation for the Session
Presence of God: Jesus, As I come to you today, fill my heart, my whole being, with the wonder of your sacred presence. Help me to become more aware of your presence in my life, and more receptive to that presence. I desire to love you as you love me. May nothing ever separate me from you. (1-2 minutes of silence)
Freedom: Jesus, Grant me the grace to have freedom of spirit. Keep me from being bound by desires and actions that are not good for me or others. Cleanse my heart and soul that I may live joyously in your love. (1-2 minutes of silence)
Consciousness: Where am I with God? With others in my life? What am I grateful for? Is there something I am sorry for, words or actions that have hurt others, and which I now regret? I take a moment to ask forgiveness of God and of those whom I have hurt. God, I give you thanks for your constant love and care for me. Keep me always aware of your presence in my life. (2-3 minutes of silence)
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Opening Prayer
Teach me to go to this country beyond words and beyond names.
Teach me to pray on this side of the frontier, here where these woods are.
I need to be led by you.
I need my heart to be moved by you.
I need my soul to be made clean by your prayer. I need my will to be made strong by you.
I need the world to be saved and changed by you.
I need you for all those who suffer, who are in prison, in danger, in sorrow.
I need you for all the crazy people.
I need your healing hand to work always in my life.
I need you to make me, as you made your Son, a healer, a comforter, a savior.
I need you to name the dead.
I need you to help the dying cross their particular rivers.
I need you for myself whether I live or die.
It is necessary.
Amen.
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Companions for the Journey
From “First Impressions” 2011. A service of the Southern Dominican Province
We shouldn't be distracted by the "unreal" details of the parable in today's gospel. Why didn't the maidens, who had oil, share with those who didn't? Where could those in need ever find a market to buy oil at midnight? Why did they cry out with the special title "Lord, Lord" to the bridegroom? Why didn't he recognize them (after all, they were in the wedding party)? We have to allow Jesus, the storyteller, the creative license to include details that will help him paint a picture to give us insight into, what he describes as, "the kingdom of heaven." We know that in Jesus' time marriages were arranged by the families of the couple. Fathers arranged the marriage, while mothers set the terms. First, there was the betrothal period of a year or so after the terms of the marriage were set. Then the bride was transferred to the husband's home. These marriage practices may help explain the delay in the groom's coming. Today's parable is the second in the sequence of three that emphasize preparedness while we await the Lord's Second Coming. Like the others, the parable of the ten maidens, emphasizes the need to be vigilant and ready NOW for the Lord's return. There are choices we must make NOW in the light of our hope and as we wait. We do what we can to nourish our spirits, form our minds and fortify our wills -- NOW. We can't put off for tomorrow decisions that show our fidelity to God and commitment to Jesus and his ways. If we delay doing that, isn't that a sign of our lack: of faith in Christ's presence NOW, as well as our hope in his final coming? We can't prepare for the in-breaking of Christ into our lives at the moment he comes. The parable urges a more constant vigilance and state of preparation. Nor can we rely on the vigilance and preparedness of others. No one can take responsibility for us, we must do that for ourselves -- ready to greet Jesus each day of our lives and then when he comes at the end. What is clear in this parable is that when the critical moment of Jesus's entry into our lives arrives, it will be decisive. Preparation time is over. If we have lived vigilant lives we will enter the wedding feast with Christ our bridegroom. The foolish maidens arrived after the door was locked and when they knocked the door was not opened. It was too late. Poor choices were made, the time for preparation was over. The parable has allegorical features. For example, the wise maidens trimmed their lamps when the bridegroom's arrival was announced. Psalm 119 refers to God's Word as "a lamp unto my feet." Hearing the Word of God will illumine us and help us recognize the Lord when he arrives. The light of the Word will also sustain us until he does. For some this is a welcome parable; for others it is an ominous one. For those whose lives have been lived actively seeking and doing God's will, their light will shine bright and the door will be opened for them. Those who have lived by false lights and indifference to their future fate will find the door barred. "What's taking so long?". We live in an impatient world. Someone got angry the other day at the supermarket. We were on the "Express lane--10 items or less," the sign said. But the man in front of me had 12 purchases. The woman behind me challenged his "lack of consideration." "Can't you read the sign," she told him sternly, "10 items not 12!" In light of today's parable we too might express some impatience and ask, "What's taking the Lord so long?" But we know we don't have to wait till our deaths or the Second Coming for the Lord's arrival. The kingdom Jesus brought about in word and deed comes into our lives every day in a variety of ways. The parable reminds us to be alert and prepared for it. Meanwhile, during our waiting time, the Lord has taught us that we can welcome the kingdom's arrival by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving drink to the thirsty, sheltering the homeless and setting free the oppressed. So, while we wait for the final arrival of Christ we have plenty to do, because he comes daily in disguised and surprising ways. Wisdom is a key virtue for our gospel today. It helps us stay vigilant and guides us in the practical choices of daily life. And so we pray, "Come Spirit of Wisdom." "Come Spirit of Vigilance." "Come Spirit of Preparedness."
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Living the Good News
What action can you take in the next week as a response to today's reading and discussion? Keep a private journal of your prayer/actions responses this week. Feel free to use the personal reflection questions which follow.
Reflection Questions:
What does it mean to live in the moment?
What does it mean to live now as if Jesus were already here?
Are there times in my life when I have been wise?
Are there times in my life when I have been foolish?
Which times define me?
Are there people that we know of, say someone diagnosed with a terminal illness, who might make a different choice about what they do and how they live based on this diagnosis?
Why do we not do so as well?
Why does every age seem to have people who predict the end of the world as we know it?
Until the second coming arrives, what are we to do meanwhile?
Did you know that there are still people who profess that if you are not Catholic you cannot get into heaven?
Is being in the right religious group important for our salvation?
Why do we keep referring to the kingdom of heaven as if it were heaven itself?
“He will come again to judge the living and the dead”. What does this mean for you?
Matthew uses the phrase: ”weeping and gnashing of teeth” six times, Luke once, and Mark not at all… How do you react to Matthew’s emphasis on the final judgement?
How does our emphasis on reward and punishment (Heaven or Hell) as motivators for good behavior fly in the face of real love for God?
Can you love what you fear?
How does focus on the “selfish” maidens miss the point of the story?
How or why do we lose focus on what is really important in our lives?
Do I believe that Jesus is present in our world right now, or only at end times?
One commentary suggested that the response of the wise virgins to the foolish virgins was to illustrate that you have to have your own faith, that someone else cannot believe for you. How do you react to that?
Is our putting off until tomorrow decisions that show our commitment to Christ due to laziness, denial, or lack of faith?
Can others actually help us with this task?
Henri Nouwen had a completely different viewpoint: …worrying about the next life seems a false preoccupation. When my clear goal is the eternal life, that life must be reachable right now, where I am, because eternal life is life in and with God, and God is where I am here and now. Does that liberate us or scare us?
Father Jude Siciliano said in a commentary on this gospel: People will desire it; many will believe God’s promise; many will commit themselves to wait for its realization. But only a few will find their desire, their belief, and their commitment in ample supply. Time and the flame of the weary, mundane ordinariness of life will try to lick dry our desire for the Kingdom and our belief in God’s promise.
Does this play out in my own life?
If this parable is read as a Wisdom teaching, then what is the wise thing for me to be doing today?
Am I doing it, or do I live in denial?
Why is it that we tend to think we need more “stuff” (as in more oil) in order to be prepared for the worst in our lives?
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Closing Prayer
If you are in a group that is meeting this week (several are) some group prayer time at the beginning and at the end of the session, allowing for each person to offer personal prayers, if he or she wishes to. (If you are doing these reflections individually, simply say all the parts…) From this week’s letter from Paul to the Thessalonians:
Leader: Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be unaware about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
Speaker 1: For the Lord himself, with a word of command, and with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Speaker 2: For whom among those who have gone before us should we pray? (responses from group members)
Speaker 3: Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the. Lord in the air.
Speaker 4: For whom among us, who might need lifting up should we now pray? (responses from group members)
Leader: Thus we shall always be with the Lord… therefore, console one another with these words.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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For the Week Ahead
Weekly Memorization
(Taken from the gospel for today's session)
Therefore, stay awake
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Meditations
A Meditation in the Dominican Style/Asking Questions:
This parable, at first glance, would seem to suggest that the virgins were foolish because they did not come prepared with enough oil. Another possibility is that their mistake was assuming that having oil was preferable to staying around to greet the bridegroom. So what if they did not have enough oil? It would not have been great, but at least they would have been there to welcome the bridegroom and to join in the festivities. They took the focus off the bridegroom and put it on lighted lamps and the oil for those lamps, assuming that having perfectly lit lamps was absolutely necessary to be part of the celebration. This parable really speaks to the worriers and the perfectionists among us, those who think we need to be sinless to be loved by God and to be welcomed into God’s kingdom. The kingdom of God is not about our imperfections, our mistakes and our sins, but about our right relationship with Jesus the bridegroom. I take some time to reflect on my relationship with Jesus, looking especially on what habits of the heart I can cultivate to make that relationship stronger—mercy, forgiveness, generosity, concern for the poor that results in actually trying to do something to mitigate their pain. For example, I pray for the wisdom to discern what is important in my life and what needs to change for me to participate joyfully in the wedding feast that is God’s presence in my life.
A Meditation in the Ignatian Style/Imagination:
Let us imagine the scenes of this parable, then translate it to our own times. In the wedding ceremonies of Jesus’ time, the actual wedding began with a formal betrothal, under the special bridal tent(Huppah). Here, the groom would give the bride money or a valuable object such as a ring, and a cup of wine was customarily shared to seal their covenant vows. In this public ceremony under the huppah, the couple entered into the betrothal period, which typically lasted for about a year. Although they were considered married, they did not live together or engage in sexual relations. This was as binding as a marriage itself. On the wedding day, the groom would take the bride from her father’s house to her own, but only after all of the negotiations (What dowry the bride’s father pays, what property the groom’s family bestows on the bride, etc.) were completed. It is surprising that this was not all done before the actually wedding day, but it seem that this was not always the case. So depending on how the negotiations went, the arrival of the bridegroom and his bride was an ever-moving target. Therefore, the guests and the lamp bearers (the 10 young women) went to the groom’s house and waited for the party to start. Someone in the groom’s entourage might go ahead and alert the guests that the bridal couple was coming, but only after they had actually set out from the bride’s house. As we look at this parable of the poor young women who ran out of oil, and the five wise ones who brought enough, we try to find who we might be in this story. Translating it to real times, what am I waiting for? Is it Happiness? Family? Financial security? God? Death?, the Second Coming? Am I willing to wait even though what I am waiting for seems to take a very long time? Can I trust myself to the unknown and develop the patience needed? Do I focus too much on the future, with its fears and rewards, instead of living fully in the present? If someone were to ask me for spiritual or material help on their particular journey, how would I respond? Where does generosity and love come in? I talk to Jesus about entrusting myself to the unknown, asking for his wisdom and his help in the waiting room we call life.
A Meditation in the Franciscan Style/Action:
Justice Bulletin Board (as appeared in “First Impressions”)
Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.—Matthew 25:12
It would be pretty scary that when we meet our God, who has counted every hair on our head, that we might be unknown. Since today's Gospel is about a wedding, I thought about how our lives could be fashioned as a memorable cake in God's eyes. Feel free to add your own special ingredients.
The Compassionate Life Cake
Ingredients
4 lb. of compassionate love
1 lb. of mercy
1 lb. of tenderness
1 lb. of humbleness
½ lb. of justice
½ lb. of grace
¼ lb. of forgiveness
¼ lb. of good humor
1 pint of laughter
1 cup of common sense
2 tsp. of adversity
1 oz. of spirit
. . .and a sprinkle of beauty
Put your compassionate love, mercy and tenderness into action together. Combine humbleness, justice and grace and mix well with forgiveness and good humor. Don't forget the laughter! Be sure to include common sense and season with a touch of adversity and a dose of spirit. Combine all the ingredients and sprinkle with the beauty of wisdom. Take a lifetime to perfect your creation. May you live your life compassionately and with passion.
—Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Coordinator of Social Justice Ministries, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Raleigh, N.C.
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Poetic Reflection
Read the following poem by Mary Oliver. How does it capture the sense of what we should be focusing on as we prepare to meet Jesus?
Making the House Ready for the Lord
Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but
still nothing is as shining as it should be
for you. Under the sink, for example, is an
uproar of mice—it is the season of their
many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves
and through the walls the squirrels
have gnawed their ragged entrances—but it is the season
when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And
the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard
while the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow;
what shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling
in the yard and the fox who is staring boldly
up the path, to the door. And still I believe you will
come, Lord: you will, when I speak to the fox,
the sparrow, the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know
that really I am speaking to you whenever I say,
as I do all morning and afternoon: Come in, Come in.
