First Reading: 1Cor 1:17-25; Psalm: 33. R. v. 5b; Gospel: Mt 25:1-13

THE OIL OF SANCTITY

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

Jesus continues the warning of his second coming in the gospel of today. In life, there are certain things which cannot be obtained at the last minute. It is too late for a student to be preparing on the day of an examination. It is too late to acquire a skill which we do not have when some tasks require it urgently. Likewise, it is very easy to leave things so late that we find it difficult to prepare ourselves to meet with God.

The five wise virgins went with extra oil for their lamps while they waited on the bridegroom. The other five foolish virgins failed to go with extra oil for their lamps. By the time the bridegroom arrived at late hours, the wise virgins were able to keep their lamps burning but the foolish virgins were unable because they ran out of oil. They couldn’t borrow some oil from the wise virgins because they are certain things we cannot borrow in life especially at the last minute. And as they went in search oil, the bridegroom entered and shut them out.

The ‘oil’ in this parable represents our relationship with God which can only be sustained by the life of sanctity. It cannot be borrowed because we all have the time in life to build it. Our oil of sanctity should never run out but keep burning. This parable therefore is a warning to us not to be spiritually laidback because the moment we do so, we will gradually run out of the oil of sanctity and be found wanting in our relationship with God. So we need to be persistent in our spiritual discipline as Christians; otherwise we run the risk of emptying our oil of sanctity and are shut out just like the foolish virgins  

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, help us by your grace to keep our oil of sanctity burning as we await your final coming. Amen.