A Test of Perseverance

Gospel:  Matthew 25: 1-13

The parable of the wise and foolish virgins begins a series of images Jesus provides on various qualities essential to the spiritual life.  The image of the lamp is representative of wisdom itself, but not for its own sake.  It is the wisdom that accompanies charity and care for others, of providing the light and warmth of mercy and loving kindness that is the essence of authentic religion.  This parable hearkens back to Jesus telling us to let our light shine that our good deeds may be seen and enlighten others.  

In the beginning of our spiritual journey we are eager and avid in providing this light for others.  But for some their light grows dim and tired.  They have run out of oil, run out of zeal for mercy.  The first instinct is to borrow from others, but this is an unwise move as it will drain others and not fully meet your needs either.  We must return to the source, but we find now that we have missed the opportunity to serve the Lord in others.  We lacked wisdom and lost the glow of our charity.  

Wisdom is the recognition that the spiritual life is a marathon, not a sprint.  It is the realization that we must always have what we need to adequately provide light and warmth, mercy and love for others throughout our entire journey of life.  Today is a day for us to check our lamps and our provisions of oil, to be adequately supplied with the wisdom we need in order to be the light of the world, to be the love and mercy of God on earth.