FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME AUGUST 27, 2021 ST MONICA MEMORIAL

MASS READINGS

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mt 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

“Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

The Lord says “I am your salvation”.

He rescues the weak and the oppressed.

That would be every single one of us. There is always that one foot on the wrong dark road on my way to eternity. My love for myself keeps me praying for my soul and for good priests, friends and family to help me. It is a daily constant battle so that at the end of the day, I hopefully have minimized my foils and errors.

Can I forget those I love? I am constantly on guard for their material needs, their spiritual needs as I hope God won’t forget my pleas.

Jesus has saved me. I must remember that the work is mine to continue to allow God to change me. With the Lord’s help I can be what I cannot be on my own.

St Monica prayed without ceasing for her son. The outcome was an awesome saint; however, though my prayers may not produce a canonized saint I can continue the preparation for my own final trip and those for whom I love.

Only God can overcome my difficulties and help me reach my goals. Only God can help me change my ways, make me more pious, kind, loving and joyful.

As a good parent, God watches over me, living in me. Therefore, the thought of offending Him is frightening and a forever reminder of how much I need Him. We should pray for our priests out of love for their vocation and for the special love God has for them. Please pray the Prayer for priests.

God bless you.