Reading 1
Resplendent and unfading is wisdom,
and she is readily perceived by those who love her,
and found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire;
Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed,
for he shall find her sitting by his gate.
For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence,
and whoever for her sake keeps vigil
shall quickly be free from care;
because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her,
and graciously appears to them in the ways,
and meets them with all solicitude.
Gospel
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
Today’s readings remind us that holiness is not something we can cram at the last minute. Like the virgins in the Gospel parable, we will not be guaranteed ample notice to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Bridegroom. The Bridegroom represents the second coming of Christ, as well as the moment each of us will encounter Him again when we die. We now await Him, and He is long delayed, but like the wise virgins, we must be ready to enter the feast with Him whenever He comes.
Our Church has long interpreted this parable to apply to everyone, regardless of state in life. However, St. John Chrysostom pointed out that Jesus’ choice to feature virgins in the parable makes His message all the more profound. Christ spoke highly of virginity, and so the fact that half the virgins in the parable are foolish emphasizes that outward holiness, or a supposedly virtuous lifestyle, is not enough to guarantee salvation. Wisdom is necessary. Wisdom disposes the other half of the virgins to prepare and maintain their stock of oil. This oil is faith livened by charity. It is good works and genuine love, only possible through cooperation with the grace of God.
Our first reading offers good news: God wants to give wisdom to those who seek it. In the Book of Wisdom, this virtue is personified and described as one “readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.” Our desire to be prepared — our desire to keep vigil and await Christ’s coming in readiness — will be rewarded by the swift and generous gift of wisdom. “For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence, and whoever for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; because she…graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.”
In short, these readings are a call to action that is both sobering and hopeful. Christ urges us with His parable not to delay, to seek wisdom now, and to be ever ready for the Bridegroom. However, we are not left to our own efforts, but rather the Lord eagerly pours out His gifts upon those who seek them, giving us the grace to be like the wise virgins.
Let us begin this very moment living out the faith we profess. Let us gratefully accept every opportunity to give alms, serve others, and to deepen our love through sacrifice and the Sacramental life, for we do not know when the Bridegroom is coming, and we want our lamps to be full of oil when He does.
Please be assured of my prayers for you before Our Lord, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
+ Bishop Schlert
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