28 July 2023 | Memorial of St. Alphonsa Muttathpadathu, Virgin (India) | Friday of 16th Week in Ordinary Time

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Gospel: Mt 25:1-13 

The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 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.  As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.  But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’  Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’  But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, rather go to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’  And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.  Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Reflections

The virgins represent us, disciples of Christ, whether vigilant or lazy and don't-care attitude. Jesus' coming suddenly, could imply unexpected opportunities to be of service to him through our service to others, or acceptance of others as they are, and our alertness matters a lot. The imagery of a wedding is used to portray the second coming of the Lord. We do not know the timing of Christ's coming, but we should prepare for it as though it could come unexpectedly through a needy neighbour, or a difficult colleague. The vessels in the parable were containers for storing extra oil. Being wise means being prepared for the unpredicted with an extra measure of faith, testimony, and the Spirit in our lives. Sometimes we grow complacent, but following in Jesus’ footsteps, means always striving to draw closer to Him, preparing for those times when our patience, faith, and testimony will be tried.

Friday of 16th Week in Ordinary Time

 

Anecdotes with values

Gospel: Mt 13:18-23

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Hear the parable of the sower.

The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom

without understanding it,

and the Evil One comes and steals away

what was sown in his heart.

The seed sown on rocky ground

is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.

But he has no root and lasts only for a time.

When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,

he immediately falls away.

The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,

but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word

and it bears no fruit.

But the seed sown on rich soil

is the one who hears the word and understands it,

who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Reflections: 

There are four different kinds of hearers of God’s word. One kind hears superficially and is easily led astray. Another hears only in a fickle way, so that initial enthusiasm finds itself without stable roots to endure difficulties and persecution.The third category is led astray through anxieties and the lure of wealth. The final kind hears the word of God, acts upon it and flourishes. The first three kinds fail to produce anything of lasting value, but the true disciple produces an abundant yield. Bearing fruit is the crucial test of genuine discipleship, but notice that there are different degrees of fruit bearing—some bear a hundredfold, some sixty and some thirty.