A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 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.”
As in yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus urges the disciples to be vigilant for the second coming of the Son of Man and his final judgment. In sharing the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus teaches about the importance of readiness for the coming of the Kingdom of heaven. On his return, will Jesus find us waiting for him in the light of our faith?
Father in heaven, help me grasp the meaning of this parable. Teach me vigilance for the second coming, and teach me day-to-day preparedness as he comes through his words, in the moments of the day, through the people I encounter, and in the sacraments. Give me the grace to respond immediately to your Son’s call at whatever time to come out to meet him. “Therefore, stay awake,” Jesus says to me, “for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
From the Gospel acclamation: “Be vigilant at all time and pray, that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.”
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.