by Fr. Gregory-David Jones, O.S.B.

      Jesus’ parable about the ten virgins – five being foolish and the other five being wise, gives us a “wake-up call” to examine the way we live each day.  The foolish women in the story simply assumed that they would have enough oil to keep their lamps lit by the time the bridegroom and his party arrived.  When they realized that they were running out, they also made the presumption that others would be able to compensate for their lack of preparedness.  In the end, their foolishness costed them dearly.

     In our adventure of life, we have many resources to enable us to prepare for the coming of the ultimate wedding feast – Jesus triumphant Second Coming (Revelation 21).  Prayer, penance, the avoidance of sin and good works are just a few of the things we can do to “stock up” on the resources necessary for the preparation for this great feast.  Additionally, the help of others through their prayers and support can be helpful for us as well.  However, at any time, to presume we have enough of a devotion to be righteous in the sight of God is a grave mistake!  The truth is that there is never enough personal righteousness, and if we become satisfied with how devoted we are, at that point we are not righteous in the sight of God, but simply satisfied with a presumption we have made.  This is a dangerous way of thinking, a mentality that the wise virgins avoided. 

     May love for the Lord be our motivation in never being satisfied with where we are in our spiritual lives.  May gratitude evoke in us a desire to constantly grow in our love and devotion for the Lord and avoid spiritual stagnation.  This is the way to assure that the fire in our lamps grow ever brighter. 

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