From the responsorial psalm: “The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations; he foils the designs of peoples. But the plan of the LORD stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 25:1-13)
“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.”
In the familiar parable of the ten virgins, Jesus likens them to the kingdom of God at the time of the Second Coming. The wise and foolish virgins represent all of humanity and depict the readiness each of us has—the oil that burns with love for the coming of the Lord. What Saint Paul describes as “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God,” the wise virgins have made their hearts attentive to, receiving the Lord out of devotion to him. When the foolish ones go off to obtain what they did not already have, they find the doors to the feast locked—a door that, despite their pleading, they themselves are responsible for keeping open through prayer and faith. “Therefore, stay awake,” Jesus says, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Spiritual vigilance and preparedness are vital.
God, help me choose to be ready today for your coming. In the unfolding of the events of the day, help me choose the message of the cross over human wisdom and strength. You yourself are wisdom and strength, and the psalmist praises this, saying, “He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.” It is your strength and wisdom that will make all the difference in whether I have the strength to stand before the Son of Man at his coming. Help me, Lord, be vigilant and ready to meet you in your kingdom.
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.