Gospel Matthew 25 1-13
The Kingdom of heaven will be like the ten virgins who took their flasks and went up to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five of them were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but no oil, but the wise ones brought oil with their flasks.
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 the 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 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.”
St Augustine says that the oil for the lamps is comparable to the acts of charity which daily life presents us with. We too, must be mindful that we know neither the day nor the hour, but we know for certain that he will come again and that we must be ready.
St Matthew tells us that it is the acts of mercy that prepare us for heaven.
At the end of our lives the angels will lead us into paradise, there we shall find everything perfect.
All the events of our life shall be displayed before us in the right context and meaning.
Everything will be made clear to us and all things come to a perfect ending.
