Reflections on Scripture | Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
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."

Reflection

The interesting thing in this gospel is the reply that the groom gives to the virgins that were not filled with what they needed to do their task. What they didn't have was wisdom. They had knowledge, let's say, but not wisdom. And so we hear then when Jesus said, I will not let you into the kingdom because you didn't choose the means by which you can enter and you have to know who Jesus is.

You have to understand He is God incarnate. To know Jesus is to know God. And that's the way we enter into the kingdom, which is communion in union with God.

Closing Prayer

Father, we often hide behind knowing information and facts about our religion. But the true call, and the true responsibility we have to that call into a beautiful life, demands that we know who you are and who we are in you. Give us that oil of enlightenment. Give us wisdom so we can truly enter in to the celebration of our union with you. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross