The Wedding Feast
Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
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
“…the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In this parable, ten ladies are waiting to join a procession into a wedding feast. But the groom and the procession to the wedding have been delayed. So, the ladies have fallen asleep. When they hear someone shout that the groom is coming, five of them get up and relight their lamps. They have brought extra lamp oil—but the other five haven’t prepared extra oil. As they go off to get more, they miss the procession, the groom, the wedding, the celebration, and all the joy they had been looking forward to.
The Christian life isn’t only about wanting the joys of God and heaven (really, everyone wants this), but it is also about living the right way to prepare to be with God in heaven. All ten ladies wanted to join the wedding feast, but only five of them had truly prepared to go. We must prepare for heaven by the way we live our lives. In prayer, let’s examine our consciences to see if our actions match our desires. Are we living like people who long for heaven?
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.
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