Friday - 21st Week of OT 2017 - The Parable of the 10 Virgins

Yesterday, from chapter 24 of Matthew’s Gospel, we heard the Lord urging his followers to stay awake, to remain vigilant, to watch for his coming. In Chapter 25, the Lord continues this very serious discourse about remaining prepared for the end: the end of time, the end of our earthly lives. In chapter 25, in fact, we read of the great judgment, the eternal separation of the sheep and the goats. So this is pretty important stuff!

In today’s parable, we heard this solemn lesson of the wise and foolish virgins. All 10 virgins begin the story with lighted lamps. They are symbolic of all Christians, who have received the light of Christ through baptism. Earlier in the Gospel, the Lord taught that Christians are not to hide their lamps under bushel baskets—we should not be afraid or stingy about doing good works out in the world—the light of faith is meant to illumine the world. Pope Francis’ prayer intention this month, speaks about the need for our parishes to be places where the light of charity is clearly seen.

We know there are Christians who have received the light of faith in baptism, but who have let their lamps become extinguished, or whose flame is but a bare flicker, in danger of the next wind, the next sin, blowing it out. In this parable, Jesus explains the eternal consequences for allowing the flame of faith to go out: to those with extinguished lamps the door to the eternal wedding feast of heaven is closed and locked forever.

What we do in this life has eternal consequences. So we must be wise enough to keep the flame of faith alive through all throughout our earthly life, persevering in faith to the end, through a life of prayer, reception of the sacraments, and acts of mercy. Thanks be to God we have the Catholic Sacrament of Confession. Foolish sin causes the light of Christ to be snuffed out in our soul. And the means Our Lord has chosen to relight extinguished flames is through the Sacrament of Confession.

We do not know the day nor the hour when the Bridegroom will return or our earthly life will come to an end. May the Lord find our souls persevering in his grace, with the flame of faith alight and blazing, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Bishop Perez, in these final days of preparation for his installation as Bishop of Cleveland. We pray to the Lord.
That our elected representatives and all civil servants may respond faithfully to the greatest needs of our nation. We pray to the Lord.
For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of September: “That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.” We pray to the Lord.
For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, especially the people of Houston Texas, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for those who struggle to live the call of Christian chastity, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.