Keep the Fire Burning

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

12 November 2023

 

First Reading: Wis 6:12-16

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Second Reading: 1 Thes 4:13-18

Gospel: Mt 25:1-13

 

Reflection

By: Carlo Alexis Malaluan

 

We are getting closer to the end of the liturgical year, for this the Gospel presents us the Parable of the ten virgins. The theme that is being presented to us is vigilance and lukewarmness. Lukewarmness is a sin that most of us would fall into without even noticing. Being “lukewarm” means being neither antagonistic (“cold”) or passionate (“hot”) in the pursuit of Christian duties. Lukewarmness could sometimes feel like “I will go to mass in the afternoon because I don’t feel rising early in the morning… I will say my prayers before bedtime… I will help the community charity drive the following week because this week is too hectic…” and ending up not doing so or sometimes it is about committing the same sins again and again complacent with the thought of God’s mercy - “God will forgive me anyway!” or in praying to God only when in times of need - “God will understand anyway!”. We lack “oil” for our vigil lamps, we lack “ardent love” in our hearts.  The lukewarm soul tends to neglect the duties of its state in life. To always strive for the bare minimum fulfilment of temporal and spiritual commitments is to be lukewarm.

What is the cure for lukewarmness? A heart that is fully alive! A heart that is filled with compassion and an eagerness to share that very sentiment of his heart to every person, in every circumstance, in every possible way is a vigil lamp filled with oil. The ardent desire of the heart to keep its flames burning lights the path of the coming of God’s kingdom. And only with a burning flame, one may be able to contemplate the face of God. 

The wise virgin brought with them an extra oil while the foolish did not. In our spiritual life, we have to come equipped. We must not let our “oils” run out hence we should always get our jars filled. In the testimonies of one of the Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa, she said that it was Mother Teresa’s explicit instruction that before the sisters perform their charity work or apostolate, they should begin with the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus, present in the Eucharist, is the source of their strength, the cause of their mission and the recipient of their charity. Otherwise, they would fall into despair in the face of tremendous poverty and suffering they are dealing with everyday. 

An intimate relationship with Jesus is the oil that fills our heart. An intimate relationship that is fueled by constant prayer - a prayer that does not simply ask but tells, a prayer that seeks the grace to involve God in our everyday dealings, a prayer that opens up the greatest secrets of our hearts. An intimate relationship that is moved by actions and deeds - a deed that goes beyond sentiments and emotions but truly cares for and acts for the welfare of others, actions that will enrich the lives of other people. An intimate relationship that is deeply rooted in faith - not of wishy-washy feelings, not moved by  mere conveniences nor benefits but a faith that would stand firm against all odds. These are the oils that will keep our fire burning until the coming of the Lord.

In the end of our lives, we will be judged by our lamps. How we have brought light to the world through the small lamp that we have. How we have tried and toiled to remain fully alive in faith. How we have used our lights to light the lamps of other people around us. And when Jesus saw the lights of our hearts, he will welcome us to participate in His banquet for eternity.

Prayer

Lord, in times of lukewarmness, help us find the fire that will again ignite our hearts to pursue our Christian duties. This we ask in Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen.