delayed, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight, a cry rang out: ‘The bridegroom is here, come out and meet
him!’ All the maidens woke up at once and trimmed their lamps. Then the careless ones said to the sensible ones: ‘Give us some oil,
for our lamps are going out.’ The sensible ones answered: ‘There may not be enough for both you and us. You had better go to
those who sell and buy for yourselves.’ They were out buying oil when the bridegroom came, and those who were
ready went with him to the wedding feast, and the doors were shut. Later the rest of the bridesmaids arrived
and called out: ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered: ‘Truly, I do not know you.’ So, stay awake, for you do not know the
day nor the hour.

Reflection: 

In following the Lord, we need to keep our head and not lose our common
sense. For sometimes, people so immersed in their feelings tend to forget that God is a God
of reason. Take for example the gospel today. The foolish virgins are caught in the
excitement of the event. Who would not be? After all, it is a feast. It is a celebration of love
that they are participating. So they did not bring provisions of extra oil. Perhaps in the course
of waiting, they have observed that the other five have extra flask of oil. But they did not
move a finger to acquire one. They are so happy with the things going around. So come
what may, they will manage somehow. With or without oil, they are determined to soak
at the festive atmosphere. It would be a pity if they will leave this happy place to look
for extra oil. And so, they pay a heavy price afterwards. They are not able to enter the
festive banquet because they acted too late. In focusing on the happy occasion of
preparation before the coming of the groom, they missed the  chance to enjoy the happiness
of the actual wedding.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021