Other saints: All Saints of Wales; Bd George Napier (-1610); Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880-1906); Bd John Dons Scotus (c. 1265-1308); The Four Crowned Martyrs (306); Saint Cybi, Abbot (6th century); Saint Deusdedit, Pope (618); Saint Tysilio, Abbot (?7th century); Saint Willehad, Bishop (789); Saint Godfrey of Amiens, Bishop (1115)
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 31:13-19
Mass: Ws 6:12-16; Resp Ps 63; 1 Th 4:13-18; Mt 25:1-13
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
HEART OF JESUS, DESIRE OF THE EVERLASTING HILLS,
HAVE MERCY ON US.
The thought of having a "day off" came to me during Lauds this morning. And then I thought of those wise virgins in today's Gospel who went to meet the bridegroom with flasks of oil and their lamps (Mt 25:4). They were prepared. Then there were the foolish virgins (Mt 25:3), who perhaps, took a day off and so had no oil for their lamps. They found themselves unprepared. We may have a "day off" from this responsibility or another, and those days are needed for extra rest, prayer, reading, spending time with loved ones, enjoying the wonder of creation, tending to those things that nurture us, and so on. On the other hand, there are many, many people who never have the privilege of a day off. Ever.
However, in whatever situation we find ourselves, we do not get days off from being Christian. It's not a matter of deciding to live the Christian witness of faith, hope, and love only on certain days of the week. Or, put another way, "being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction" (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, 1). And we are to renew this encounter day in and day out, or as Pope Francis put it: "I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day" (Evangelii Gaudium, 3). This renewed personal encounter with the person of Jesus Christ keeps us prepared. We are then ready with full flasks of oil and our lamps to meet Jesus throughout each day, in every minute and in every circumstance, whether the circumstance be pleasant or not. Jesus doesn't take a day off. He is always prepared to encounter us. Our Lord continuously knocks at the door of our hearts and is ready to be let in. May we be open and wise and "stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour" (Mt 25:13).
The end of all things is at hand. Be serious and sober for prayers. Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
(1 Pt 4:7-11)
MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS,
PRAY FOR US.
© Gertrude Feick 2020
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