Read 1 Thes. 4:1-8, Psalm 97 and Matthew 25:1-13
“Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.” (Matthew 25:2-4)
There were ten maidens, five were foolish and five were wise. The only thing that differentiated the foolish from the wise was the fact that they went along with some extra oil; they didn’t depend only on the oil in their lamps.
Perhaps the foolish ones were more concerned about how they looked; they forgot the one thing necessary; a bottle of oil just in case the oil in their lamps go out. That one thing which we often take for granted, that extra oil is our relationship with God. Of course, only a few wise persons remember to carry it.
St. Paul in today’s first reading says: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from unchastity… For God has not called us for uncleanness but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God.” (1 Thessalonians 4:2-8). If you live on earth as though God does not exist, how do you hope to spend eternity with God whom you have so rejected?
Don’t just be an average Christian, be a wise one; carry some extra oil along with your lamp. Be an authentic Christian.
Today we remember St. Monica, a woman who has become so popular in Christianity because of her son, St. Augustine. The life of St. Monica is an inspiration to mothers who are finding a hard time getting their children to know God. What was her secret? Relentless prayers. Like the widow who kept going to the unjust judge, St. Monica prayed for her son until he became a changed person.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, save me from the foolishness of mediocrity. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Monica (Memorial) Bible Study: 1 Thes. 4:1-8, Psalm 97 and Matthew 25:1-13).