Daily Gospel Reflection for August 26, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

You’ve heard the phrase, “the Church is the bride of Christ.” Today’s Gospel is one instance in scripture where Jesus is presented as the bridegroom. In this parable, we are told that ten virgins go out to meet the bridegroom. Five were foolish and brought no oil for their lamps on the journey, and the five who were wise did.

As the parable progresses, the bridegroom is delayed, and the five virgins who did not bring lamp oil are in need. They ask the other women for oil but are denied. The wise virgins say,

“No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.”

At first blush this refusal to share may seem stingy, but this is about being prepared to meet Jesus. There is a valuable lesson in buying their own oil: We have to prepare ourselves to meet Jesus the Bridegroom; nobody can do that for us.

As moms, we often feel the need, or even pressure, to pour out all the lamp oil for others and leave none for ourselves. We sometimes meet the needs of our children, our husbands, and even our pets, before we meet our own needs. The result is that we’ve cared for everyone else so much that we are exhausted, overworked, and out of shape physically and spiritually. This is a lack of charity toward ourselves.

We moms love generously, but we have to remember to supply ourselves with what we need as well. I need time with my spouse, time alone, and physical exercise. I need time for prayer in the quiet of the morning. In order for this to happen, I need to gently remind those around me to buy some oil for themselves now and then.

Ponder:

How can you better prepare yourself to meet the Bridegroom?

Pray:

Lord, we praise You for creating moms with generous hearts such as our Mother Mary. As moms, help us to remember to prepare ourselves to meet You, especially among the daily demands of parenting.