REFLECTIONS TODAY
The fifth discourse in Matthew’s Gospel is known as the Eschatological Discourse. Matthew 24–25 also constitutes the little apocalypse of Matthew, which speaks not of the end in the terminal sense but as a period that ushers a new period.
Today’s Gospel, which narrates the parable of the Ten Virgins, belongs to this fifth discourse. Five are wise (phronimoi) while five are foolish (mōrai). The wise ones bring with them flasks of oil together with their lamps. The foolish ones bring their lamps but do not bring extra oil with them. The bridegroom’s arrival is delayed. The bridegroom arrives when the foolish virgins are out, buying oil. The wise ones go with the bridegroom into the wedding feast. The door is shut.
We are called to imitate the wise virgins. Are we like the wise virgins, ready to meet the Lord when he comes? How do we make ourselves ready in welcoming Jesus? Do we recognize that the Lord also comes to us every day?
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: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.