August 27, 2021

St. Monica

Mt 25: 1-13 

“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.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Don’t turn away from God’s love

In today’s Gospel we find a terrifying description of judgment. How might we reconcile these warnings of judgment with God’s love? Not long ago, a dear friend in my parish lost his wife. She had gone for a walk and was struck by a truck driving too fast in her neighborhood. The driver will likely face some legal punishment for his careless driving. It is certain, however, that he will also suffer deep and enduring pains of conscience since he will have to live with the fact that he took this woman’s life and shattered the hearts of her family members. The pains of the human heart are far worse than legal punishments.

Jesus’ warnings of judgment arise from his deep love for us all. He knows that running away from his call only brings misery upon us since true and enduring peace can only be found in union with the all-loving God.

—Mark McNeil is the Assistant Principal for Formation at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston.

 

Prayer

Father, in your will I find peace.

—Mark McNeil

Please share the Good Word with your friends!