GIVE US SOME OF YOUR OIL…

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

1 Finally, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from unchastity;
4 that each one of you know how to take a wife for himself in holiness and honor,
5 not in the passion of lust like heathen who do not know God; 6 that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we solemnly forewarned you.7 For God has not called us for uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Matthew 25:1-13

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;
4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
7 Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps.8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’9 But the wise replied, ‘Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.11 Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’12 But he replied, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.  

MEDITATION

St PAULS EPISTLE: On a side note, Paul appeals to “Sacred Tradition” when he refers to “instructions” (v 2) or catechesis that was given “through the Lord.” We know this because he never sat at our Lords feet, however he was catechized by Cephas amongst others after his conversion.Gal 1:18 
With this said, Paul transmit the moral apostolic teachings of the Church that seeks to correctly order the lives of men and women so that they avoid the occasion of unchastity or fornication which is an impure way of living! Paul leave us with no doubt that Jesus will “avenge” such immoral waywardness!

St MATTHEW records our Lords appeal to a parable to illustrate and unpack the consequences of living a moral or immoral life. The Church Father St Augustine illustrate that the “five” maidens is a metaphor that refer to mans five senses which we use to: see, hear,touch,smell and taste. The ‘flasks of oil’ signify wisdom which gives us the ability to reason, discern our behaviors and thought patterns which could either corrupt or sanctify our souls. 

Those of us who struggle with unchastity are summoned to seek Gods indulgence by making our way to the confessional and to aquire Christs ‘oil’ of discernment which is enumerated in the catechism of the Catholic Church as given by Christ Jesus! Whilst it may appear uncharitable of the five virgins to not share some of their oil, it is certainly not the case! Our Lord  wish to alert us to the fact that we cannot be assisted with the “oil” or wisdom of the righteous ones on the day of our personal judgement! 

LET US PRAY:Psalms 97:1-2,5-6,10-12

1 The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!2 Clouds and thick darkness are round about him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.10 The LORD loves those who hate evil; he preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.11 Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.