Fresh Dew Media

 Friday of 21^st Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: The pleasure darkness gives cannot illuminate our paths to eternity. Be wise

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