Don’t Wait To Grow in Faith
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 25: 1-13 – 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.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“... those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This parable about the ten virgins is a very good parable for young people in today’s world. The Lord uses the story as an example to us that seriousness in the Faith is not something to be put off until later. There are so many people who wait, and wait, and wait to take the life of Faith seriously. They imagine, foolishly, that one distant day when they are old they will finally change their lives and get on God’s good list before they die. They think that youth is a time to push limits, that college is a time to do whatever feels good, that young adulthood is a time to be self-centered, that adulthood is a time to prioritize finances and security…and then, finally, that being old is a time for God.
Our Lord is telling us to be very cautious of such foolishness. For one thing, we never know when our death will come. Also, we must understand that when we have lived many years full of bad habits, they are not easily, or very quickly, changed. A whole life lived in selfishness doesn’t easily change when one is old and low on energy. That is why the Scriptures urge us that today, not tomorrow “is the day of salvation.” We never know when Christ will pass by, close to us, with an invitation to join Him in unspeakable joy in a new adventure in our lives. We must try to be ready at all points of life. What are we doing now to take the Faith seriously and to make ourselves ready for God?
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
Like Pier? Share it with others (via links below) / Subscribe to it (below) / Support (the mission)
