On Monday, we celebrated All Souls Day. This important feast reminds us to pray for those who have passed from this life to the next. It is also, however, a day that reminds us of our own mortality: we will die some day. In the parable of the ten virgins in St. Matthew’s Gospel (25:1-13), the five foolish virgins can’t borrow the oil at midnight. They must go to buy it. St. John Chrysostom teaches that the oil is humility, almsgiving, and succor to those in need. (Homily 78 on Matthew) These cannot be lent out. He teaches us that they are “bought” from the poor. The oil for the lamps, then, comes from the mercy shown to others. The choice, then, is ours. If we desire to be welcomed into the wedding feast—Heaven—then we must choose to “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” (Col 3:12-13)
One group here at our parish that we don’t always hear about, but is very active, is our funeral dinner group. For nearly every funeral at St. Joseph, these folks provide a meal. In doing this quiet work of mercy and compassion, which is part of one of the corporal works of mercy, no less, our funeral dinner stewards slowly fill their lamps with oil.
The parable of the ten virgins ends with our Lord saying, “stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Mt 25:13) It is a reminder that our time on this earth is short, and we must remember to prepare ourselves for the coming of the bridegroom. That is: we must prepare ourselves so that we are ready to meet our Lord at the end of our life on this earth. An important question to ask ourselves, then, is this: Have I made sure to fill my lamp with the oil of humility, almsgiving, mercy, and compassion?
Fr. Matt