WORDS FROM FATHER YOHANES: Keeping Our Lamps Burning

By Father Yohanes Akoit

The Gospel reading for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time tells the parable of the ten maidens. Their role was to go out to meet the bridegroom and accompany him to the wedding feast. Five of them were wise and prepared, while the other five were foolish and unprepared. They were called foolish because they failed to bring an adequate supply of oil for their lamps and were compelled to go and buy more. Yet while they were away, the long-awaited bridegroom arrived. Consequently, those who were ready entered the wedding feast with him, and the door was shut. The five maidens who had gone to buy oil arrived too late and were unable to take part in the celebration (Matthew 25:1-13).

Upon reading this story and reflecting on it, we may derive many possible lessons. One of them is to see the connection between the context of the story and the purpose of the parable. Based on this perspective, we realize that the parable is meant to help the disciples understand what the Kingdom of Heaven is like and how to enter it. Jesus wants them to know this and act accordingly. The recommendation is clear: the disciples need to be ready at all times and wait for the coming of the Lord. He is the one who will allow them to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The same idea can be found in the teaching of the Catholic Church: “The New Testament speaks of judgement primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in His second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith” (CCC 1021). Therefore, the idea of the Kingdom of God is always connected with faith, works, death, and Christ’s judgment. These four realities/tetralogies should go hand in hand while we are on this earth, so that when the bridegroom comes, Jesus Christ our Savior, he may find us ready, with our lamps lit in our hands.

The teaching of Jesus is meant for us as well. We are called to recognize the connection among these tetralogies. While we live on this earth, we need to have faith in God and do good works. Here, faith means accepting God the Trinity as our Savior and receiving the sacraments regularly. For example, if we participate faithfully in the celebration of the Holy Mass and regularly receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, then whenever Jesus comes for us through death, the timing of which we do not know, we will be ready for Christ’s judgment. If we live in this way, we need not worry about whether Christ will allow us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Today’s Gospel also reminds us of our human tendency. When everything is going well and life looks good, we often say, “I am fine.” In such situations, our main focus becomes preserving those favorable conditions. If it concerns money, we work harder to earn more. If it concerns food, we consume it without restraint. If it concerns sports, we spend more and more time doing them. Many other examples could be added. All of these pursuits can occupy our attention, and there are times when we forget to prepare ourselves for Christ’s judgment. The best way to care for ourselves is to pay attention to these tetralogies. Simply put, let us continue doing good things in life, but let us not forget to participate in the sacraments of the Church established by God. Then, whenever Christ comes, he will find us with our lamps burning in our hands.

Father Yohanes Akoit is pastor of St. Julian and St. Anthony Catholic churches in Kentucky.