Friday of 21st Week, Year II: reflection
Theme: The pleasure darkness gives cannot illuminate our paths to eternity. Be wise
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Reading: Mt 25:1-13
Dear friends in Christ, the parable of the 10
maidens reminds us that we are on a journey to meet Jesus, the bridegroom of
the heavenly banquet, and that some things are absolutely necessary for those
who truly want to be admitted to his banquet hall. It, therefore, challenges us
to ensure that we are marching towards that banquet hall with the essential
things and not to waste our time concentrating on the things that will not help
us on the journey.
In this parable, when the five wise maidens
realized that the journey would take them across dark roads and that the
bridegroom might take some time to arrive, they embarked on the journey with
their lamps and enough oil. The foolish maidens, unfortunately, refused to pay
attention to the essential requirements for the journey and for admission into
the banquet hall. They were enthralled by the coverage that darkness could
offer and the things that could be done under its shadow. Consequently, they neglected the fact that
light was required for everyone wishing to enter the banquet hall and, thus,
they didn’t bother taking oil for their lamps.
Dear friends, we should be wise and realize
that no one can give what he doesn’t have. Therefore, the pleasure we enjoy
under the cover of darkness cannot illuminate our paths to the heavenly
banquet. Only a virtuous life can illuminate our paths as we journey to meet
the Saviour. Virtue is the oil that can lighten our lamps in the midst of
darkness, bad attitudes can’t. Virtue is the only ticket that can open the door
for us.
Some people have criticized the five wise
maidens for not helping their friends who were in need. But this parable shows
us that certain things cannot be borrowed; in fact, it tells us that the
qualities needed to enter the banquet of eternal life cannot be borrowed,
everybody will have to acquire his/her own.
Another important lesson in this parable is the
fact that it might be too late to do certain things in order to enter heaven.
Once the trumpet sounds, all other actions will be too late. What does this
tell us? It tells us to make hay while the sun shines. Since we do not know
when the trumpet will sound, we should utilize every day to gather the
essential things that will help us gain admission into the banquet hall; procrastination
can land us into trouble on the last day.
May your Friday yield good fruits in abundance.
Fr Isaac C. Chima
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