First Reading • Wisdom 6:12-16
Psalm • Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Second Reading • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Gospel • Matthew 25:1-13
Every year, just before Christmas, a small town celebrated a special event. The streets and shops were decorated with colourful lights.
On one particular evening, all the Christmas lights would be switched on together, creating a beautiful sight that everyone eagerly awaited.
A ten-year-old girl named Leigh was especially excited. She had been waiting for this moment all week. Before leaving home, her mother asked her to use the bathroom, but Leigh was too excited to listen.
When they reached the town square, a large crowd had gathered. Suddenly, Leigh realized she urgently needed the bathroom.
Her mother hurried her through the crowd to find one. Just as they entered, the lights came on, and everyone began cheering.
Leigh burst into tears. She had missed the moment she had waited for all year, simply because she had not prepared herself.
Sometimes, we miss wonderful opportunities in life, not because they were unavailable, but because we were not prepared.
That is precisely the message of today’s Gospel.
Jesus tells us the parable of ten bridesmaids who went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise, and five were foolish.
All ten had lamps, and all ten were waiting for the same bridegroom. But there was one important difference: the wise brought extra oil, while the foolish did not.
When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became sleepy and fell asleep. At midnight, the announcement came: “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”
The wise bridesmaids were ready. But the foolish discovered that their lamps were going out. While they went to buy oil, the bridegroom arrived, and the door was shut.
They had missed their opportunity.
Jesus concludes with a serious warning: “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
What does this parable teach us?
First, it reminds us that our Christian life is a journey of waiting for the Lord.
The early disciples expected Jesus to establish God’s Kingdom immediately.
But Jesus taught them that the Kingdom would begin through His death and resurrection and reach its fullness when He returns in glory.
The disciples needed patience, perseverance, and faithfulness. The same is true for us today.
We have been waiting for Christ’s return for nearly two thousand years. Perhaps we have become so accustomed to waiting that we have forgotten what we are waiting for.
We are busy building our careers, raising families, paying bills, planning vacations, and enjoying life’s comforts.
There is nothing wrong with these things. But sometimes, in the middle of everything, we forget the most important purpose of our lives: to know God, love Him, and live with Him forever.
Our lamps may still be in our hands, but are they burning brightly?
What does the oil in the parable represent?
It reminds us of our personal relationship with God: our faith, love, prayer, good works, and daily faithfulness. These are things we must cultivate personally. Nobody else can live our relationship with God for us.
Parents can teach their children to pray, but eventually children must develop their own relationship with Jesus.
We can encourage one another in faith, but we cannot borrow someone else’s love for God at the last moment.
We must keep our own lamps burning.
How can we do that?
Today’s responsorial psalm gives us a beautiful answer: “O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you.”
We need to rediscover that thirst for God.
And we Catholics have a wonderful opportunity to nourish that desire through the Holy Eucharist.
Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. He waits for us in the tabernacle, inviting us to spend time with Him.
Sometimes, we come to Mass hurriedly, distracted by many concerns.
We leave immediately afterward, sometimes even before the final blessing, without allowing ourselves even a few quiet moments with the Lord.
As a sign of reverence and respect for the sacred celebration, let us remain in the church until the recessional hymn is completed and the priest and altar servers have returned to the sacristy.
These few extra moments are a beautiful opportunity to thank the Lord for the gift of the Eucharist and leave His presence with a grateful heart.
Why not come ten or fifteen minutes early for Mass? Spend some time in silence before the Blessed Sacrament. Visit the church during the week when possible. Participate in Eucharistic adoration.
We do not always need many words. Sometimes, simply sitting quietly before Jesus is enough.
In that silence, our faith is strengthened, our love is renewed, and our lamps are filled again.
Our families also need this spiritual oil. A family that prays together, forgives one another, and makes time for God keeps the light of faith alive for the next generation.
Heaven is our final destination. Let us not become so busy preparing for this temporary life that we forget to prepare for eternal life.
