Mass Readings
Reading 1 – Wisdom 6:12-16
Psalm – Ps 62:2-8
Reading 2 – St Paul to Thess 4:13-18
Gospel – Matthew 25:1-13
Reflection
by Fr Martin Ashe, Parish Priest
These last several months have asked a lot of us in the midst of this pandemic, especially how we have sought to live our lives during this time. We have been forced to reflect on what stands out as important and necessary for our lives to be lived fruitfully. It has meant that relationships and livelihoods have been given new focus. It certainly hasn’t been a time to just take things for granted or to become complacent. Rather we have had to take seriously what has been happening and be alert to embracing new attitudes and ways of acting not only for our own sakes but for those around especially those who have been vulnerable. Can we begin to detect a deeper understanding and meaning for our lives? Have we acquired a deeper wisdom in the way we see our lives and the ways we might engage with our world?
The gospel story challenges us as disciples of Jesus to face the reality of our present life and to be intentional about this. The gospel parable speaks of ten bridesmaids who have been chosen to escort the bridegroom to the wedding reception. Five are wise and five are foolish. When the bridegroom arrives, five of them have their lamps full of oil and are ready and alert to accompany him to the wedding reception. The other five discover that they have not enough oil for their lamps and therefore fail to be ready to accompany the bridegroom. They have become complacent and in the end are not allowed into the wedding hall.
Living out our Christian calling is an ongoing invitation and task in the world of our time. Being alert and attentive to what is needed now is to grow in wisdom. It is to have oil in our lamps. The oil that we need to have ready and being willing to share is the love of Jesus Christ. It is firstly to surrender to the ongoing reality of Christ’s love being there for us in the midst of all the circumstances of our lives. It is not to take for granted our love for Christ. Rather it is to strive prayerfully in keeping this love alive. Our mission then as disciples of Jesus is to recognize that our lives can indeed light up the various shades of darkness that touch peoples’ lives. Yes, there are times when complacency can creep into our lives yet we are being challenged during this time to realise that each one of our lives matter in making our community life-giving and liveable for all.