Daily Inspiration

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.' While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.' Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." -Matthew 25:1-13

Am I foolish or wise, have I prepared, or lived only for the moment? When we go out to meet the Lord, He will see us by the light that burns in us. If our light is not burning bright then, it will be too late for us, and the oil we lack will become our most desired treasure. We take thousands of breaths every day yet give no thought of the air entering into our lungs, but take that air away for a minute, and we would trade all we own for another treasured breath. Likewise, each day, we have the opportunity to store up oil for our lamps by letting the Light of Christ shine through us, onto those around us. The more we allow His Light to shine through us, the more oil Christ places in our lamps. If we bury His light now, then when the Bridegroom arrives, it will be too late to find the treasured oil we need. Jesus will not see His light burning in us, and we will hear the fateful words, “I do not know you.” Once, I had no oil in my lamp, and the door to the feast was closed to me, but the Lord took pity on me. He has allowed me another chance, to encourage you, and to ask that you let His Light shine through you, so that you may store up oil for when Christ returns.

Saint Josaphat, pray for us.

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Jesus, I trust in you!