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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider I do not know you

I do not know you

Published Aug 31, 2023 04:01 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

It is hurting to hear such words from a friend or a teacher to whom you want to get close. Yet, these are the words of the bridegroom to the foolish virgins (bridesmaids) who are assigned to welcome him but fail to prepare sufficient oil for the night. They did not give allowance for the delay. 


Jesus tells the parable of the Ten Virgins to his disciples to teach them what the Kingdom of heaven is all about. In God’s Kingdom, there are two kinds of disciples who want to enter it to join their Master, namely, the wise and the foolish. 


Jesus warns his disciples to be prepared always for his coming. They cannot be half-prepared, like the foolish virgins. They must be fully ready to welcome him no matter how long it takes. Otherwise, Jesus will also reject them at the end of time, no matter how much they knock at the door.
Jesus recognizes, as his disciples, only those who behave like the wise virgins. He entitles them to be in his company in his Kingdom.

Gospel • Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like 10 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.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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