In today’s Gospel, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to ten young women who take their lamps and go out to meet the bridegroom. Five are wise and five are foolish. All expect to welcome him. All become tired and fall asleep when he is delayed. The difference is that the wise bring extra oil, while the foolish do not. At midnight, the cry comes: “Here is the bridegroom!” Suddenly, their preparation matters. Those who are ready enter the wedding feast. The others discover that they cannot put everything right at the last moment. Jesus concludes: “Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” His words invite us to examine how we are preparing to meet him.
We understand preparation in everyday life. A student studies for an examination. Someone seeking employment prepares for an interview. An athlete trains for months for a competition lasting only minutes. We recognise that important things deserve time and attention. The Old Testament offers advice: “Think of the time of hunger in the time of plenty” (Sirach 18:25). We understand this when saving money or storing food. But do we show the same wisdom in our spiritual lives? When life is comfortable, we can easily neglect prayer and postpone reconciliation. Sirach invites us to look beyond the present moment. Faith needs nourishment before hardship comes. Our daily choices prepare our hearts to remain faithful when waiting becomes difficult.
The foolish women have lamps, but insufficient oil. Their outward appearance does not reveal what they lack. This asks us to look honestly at our faith. We may be baptised, know our prayers and regularly attend Mass. These are precious gifts, calling for a living response. Does our faith shape our behaviour at home? Does receiving forgiveness help us forgive? Saint Augustine, reflecting on this Gospel, says: “Watch with the heart, watch with faith, watch with hope, watch with charity, watch with good works”. This is watchfulness we can practise daily. We keep our lamps burning through friendship with Christ, nourished by prayer, Scripture and the sacraments, and expressed through patient, generous love.
When the bridegroom arrives, the foolish women ask the wise to share their oil. Their refusal may sound harsh, but the parable reminds us that some things cannot simply be borrowed. Others can encourage us, pray for us and offer good example. They cannot make our response to God for us. A parent cannot believe on behalf of an adult child. A spouse cannot do another’s forgiving. Each person must open their own heart. Yet Jesus is not asking us to live anxiously, trying to calculate when death will come. All ten women fall asleep; ordinary tiredness is not their failure. Readiness means remaining faithful during the waiting. We prepare for Christ’s coming by welcoming him now, especially in people whose needs interrupt our plans.
Perhaps the most dangerous words in our spiritual life are, “I will do it later.” Later I will pray, apologise, visit that person or return to confession. Today’s Gospel challenges that delay. The door is open now. God gives us this day to begin again. What needs attention in my friendship with him? Who is waiting for my forgiveness or care? Readiness grows through small acts of faithfulness: a prayer offered sincerely, a promise kept, a kindness shown without seeking praise. Our present life matters because it is here that we learn to love the Lord whom we hope to meet face to face. At this Eucharist, he comes to strengthen us. May we receive him gratefully, carry his light into the week ahead and keep our hearts ready, so that our final meeting with him becomes the joyful fulfilment of a friendship already begun.
Fr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil