St Monica | Friday 27 August 2021
Today is Friday the 27 August, the Feast of St Monica, in the 21st week of Ordinary time.
The monks of Keur Moussa sing: ‘Lord Jesus, we await your coming in faith, more sure of seeing your day than a watchman awaiting the dawn.’
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus said to his disciples: "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 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, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Jesus seems to be telling us here that the Kingdom is found by those who are ready for it when it comes. What do the symbols in this story mean to you? The lighted lamp, for instance - what might that represent in your life? And the oil that will keep it burning – what is that?
When, in your life, do you seem to be foolish, unprepared, can’t-be-bothered? When do you feel selfish, lazy, unfaithful ? What do you want to do to move out of the foolishness?
Listen again to the words of Jesus. It is not to frighten us, but for our growth and our good that Jesus tells us all this.
Speak now to God, to say what is in your heart. Hear what he is saying to you through this story and your reactions to it.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.