Keep Your Lamps Burning
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we reflect on this Sunday’s readings, we are invited to consider an important question: Are we ready to meet the Lord? We spend much of our lives preparing for the things of this world—our education, careers, family responsibilities and future plans. But how much time do we spend preparing our hearts for eternity?
The first reading from the Book of Wisdom reminds us that wisdom is not simply knowledge, information or intellectual achievement. Wisdom is something to be loved and sought with all our hearts. It is a gift that draws us closer to God and teaches us to see life through His eyes. We may know many things about God, but what matters most is whether we truly know Him, love Him and allow Him to guide our lives. As Scripture reminds us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10).
The second reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Thessalonians speaks beautifully about Christian hope in the resurrection. St. Paul does not tell us that Christians should never grieve when someone dies. Rather, he reminds us that we do not grieve like those who have no hope. Because Jesus died and rose again, we believe that death is not the end. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: "The Christian meaning of death is revealed in the light of the Paschal Mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ" (CCC 1681). What a comforting assurance! Our earthly journey ends, but our hope in Christ leads us towards eternal life.
In the Gospel, Jesus gives us the parable of the ten bridesmaids. Five were wise because they brought extra oil for their lamps; five were foolish because they were unprepared. All ten were waiting for the bridegroom, but only five were ready when he arrived. The oil represents our personal relationship with God, nourished through prayer, the Eucharist, forgiveness, charity and faithful Christian living.
We cannot borrow another person's faith, prayer or relationship with God. Each of us must personally cultivate our friendship with Christ. Pope Benedict XVI, in Spe Salvi, reminds us that "the one who has hope lives differently."
Perhaps the most important message of this Sunday's Gospel is that preparation cannot be postponed. We do not know the day or the hour when the Lord will call us. Therefore, every day is an opportunity to forgive, to love, to serve and to grow closer to God.
Let us not be Christians who merely carry lamps, but Christians whose lamps are burning brightly. May our faith give us wisdom, our hope sustain us, and our love keep us ready to welcome the Lord whenever He comes.
Lord, help us to keep our lamps burning until the day we meet You face to face.
