Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 1, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Friday of the 21st Week of Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: 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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today is from the Gospel of Matthew and recounts the first of 3 parables Jesus shared with His disciples just before time of his betrayal unfolded. They represent His final teaching before the last supper.

In the parable, the bridegroom is Christ. Whether the arrival of the bridegroom represents the end time and Christ’s second coming or the end of our individual lives on earth, the message is still the same – remain vigilant – be prepared. The lamps are the light of Christ each of us as followers are called to bear to the world. The oil that fuels them and makes the light visible to others is our work of love, our good deeds, our words of truth. “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt. 5:16).

How does this pertain to us today?

Jesus reminds us that there is a right time to live our faith which is the living of our lives and there is a time when it will be too late which is when we face death. Since we do not know that day or hour, Jesus calls us to live everyday as if it may be our last.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Have I grown sloppy and lazy in my faith, putting off what I know I should be doing? Am I seeking to live each day as what it may well be, my last? Do I seek to do all the good I can in each day given to me for the glory of my heavenly Father?

Praying:

LORD, Help us to hold our faith in You, to allow our hope to buoy us through difficult times, so that our love for You bursts forth as light from a lantern, illuminating our world to your glory. Fueled by your love for us, let us love one another as You love each of us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.