MASS READINGS:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 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. 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.”

REFLECTION:

School has started and the school district has sent out a list of school supplies needed. If a child goes to school unprepared, there will be consequences. So as a good parent we do our best to be sure that all is purchased and we are aware of the homework and test schedules so that our child can excel. We prepare our children for their journey.

There are certain things that one cannot obtain if we don't prepare nor can we wait til the last minute--we cannot prepare for a test the day of the test, we cannot lose 10 pounds for that high school reunion without exercising and dieting. A person can't develop a good heart, or good character without working on it. A surgeon can't operate unless they have studied and trained for years. A priest cannot show us the love of God, unless he has loved God himself

There are 3 kinds of people--those who do not believe in God, those who believe in God but do not believe in hell and those who believe in God, heaven and hell. Our priests, Church and families prepare us for the heavenly banquet that our Lord has promised us. Our eternal welfare depends on our listening, hearing and following the voice of God. The five virgins who had their oil were prepared for the bridegroom whereas the five who did not have oil for their lamps found themselves locked out of the wedding feast.

When the Lord calls us on the day of judgment, will we be ready to meet the Lord, face to face? Or will the Lord find you unprepared, ill prepared and not able to get into heaven. We dont want to hear the Lord say, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’

Less we forget--do not become complacent with our salvation and the salvation of those whom the Lord has put in our lives--do not become complacent with our faith where our prayers are routine and rote. But ask the Holy Spirit to put some fire into our hearts and let us pray and prepare for the coming of the Lord, for our day of judgment. As in our handbook (page 6), our vision is to see priests on fire for Jesus and His Church, the Body and Blood of Christ. Let our own vision be-- to see ourselves on fire for Jesus.

God Bless