KEEP YOUR LAMP BURNING
A Gospel Reflection for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Matthew 25:1–13 | The Parable of the Ten Virgins
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us the story of ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom so they could join a wedding celebration.
All ten had the same mission. All ten carried lamps. All ten waited for the same bridegroom. Yet there was one important difference: five brought extra oil, while the other five did not.
Had the bridegroom arrived early, all ten might have entered the banquet. But he was delayed. When he finally arrived at midnight, the five who had brought extra oil were ready. The others found their lamps going out. They tried to borrow oil but could not. They went out to buy and by the time they returned, the door was shut.
What does this story teach us about our Christian lives today?
The ten young women represent all of us on our journey through life. The bridegroom represents Jesus Christ, whom we hope to meet at the end of our earthly journey. The lamps represent the light of faith entrusted to us. But what about the oil?
The oil represents the spiritual qualities that keep our faith alive and our hearts ready to meet Christ.
St Paul describes these qualities as the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
We keep our lamps burning whenever we choose love over hatred, forgiveness over resentment, humility over pride, generosity over selfishness, and patience over anger. We replenish our spiritual oil through prayer, charity, faithful service and a sincere relationship with God.
There is another important lesson: some things in life cannot be borrowed. We can borrow money, clothes or even a car, but we cannot borrow another person’s faith, goodness, love or relationship with God. Each of us must cultivate these qualities personally.
My dear friends in Christ, the Gospel is not simply asking whether we believe in God. It asks whether our faith is alive, active and ready.
Remember, if you miss a taxi, a bus, a train or even a flight, you may be able to catch another one. But we must not take our opportunity to prepare for eternity for granted, because there is no second chance.
So let us not wait until tomorrow to become the people God is calling us to be today.
Keep your lamp burning. Keep your heart open. Keep your faith alive. For we do not know when the Bridegroom will come.
May God bless you. Amen.
