Jesus said to his disciples, "Then 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 wen 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."
The Word in other words
Being prepared is not only standing in attention to wait for the command, but also to make provision for any eventuality that one needs to respond to. Christianity considers earthly life as a journey and a pilgrimage. While belonging to this world, a Christian focuses also on the life to come, where the eternal banquet is being prepared. The journey towards that promised reality means daily practice and constant stimulation, using current contexts and human conditions, so that when the time comes for the door to open, we could come in, ready and prepared to celebrate and to live.
It took many years of searching and questioning before St. Augustine found the answer to his heart's desires. The realization and declaration, "Late have I loved you...," referring to his "discovery" of God, came after many detours in the crooked path which the young, restless Augustine had taken in his journey towards God. Unlike the foolish virgins in today's gospel, he did not sleep while waiting for the master to come. He was wrestling with life's issues and concerns. What brought him through those painful and chaotic life experiences was his great desire to find peace and rest in his heart. He discovered faith and learned to surrender. And so when the bridegroom finally arrived, St. Augustine was ready to welcome him into his life.
- Fr. Anthony Salas, SVD ( USC, Cebu City)
St. Augustine's Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
