PARABLE OF TEN VIRGINS (Mt 25)

PARABLE OF TEN VIRGINS (MATTHEW 25:1-13)

1. Jesus and the image of the bridegroom: 

In the Gospel, Jesus is usually coming like a thief, but this time he is coming in the image of bridegroom, one of the most beautiful images in the Bible. There are many images used in the Scripture to explain the relationship between God and His people. God presents himself as a husband. God is the bridegroom and the people of Israel are the bride. “Thus, says the LORD, I am your husband, you are my love as a bride, remember how you followed me in the wilderness”. (Jer 2) 

The first attitude that I suggest you in these days is to look inside your heart, and to discover what really you desire. Who is God for you? Who is Jesus for you? Do not be satisfied with listening to what others can tell you. Try to let emerge what is your more personal desire. You will discover that Jesus is the only person able to satisfy your greater desires (the real bridegroom): the most important things of the life of a person.  

2. Prepare your oil; Symbol of consecration: 

In the Bible, consecrated oil is always used for the ordination of the priests. “You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him”. (Ex 29:7) “And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him”. (Lev. 8:12) 

In your life, consider vocation as a gift. Nobody can replace your vocation. Remember, you cannot borrow the oil from others at the necessary time. The foolish ones asked the wise to borrow the oil from their lamps. 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.’  We might think that the wise virgins were not charitable enough to share the oil. It is because nobody can replace your vocation. The lamp is Jesus Christ himself. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life". We need oil to hold him tight so that he may illumine others. 

God bless your journey!

DISSOLVE YOUR EGO (Aug 16, 2022; Ezek 28:1-10; Mt 19,23-30)

Mt 19,23-30

Those who travelled to the Holy Land might have seen the "eye of the needle", which is one of the smallest gates in Jerusalem. This gate of Jerusalem was named "The Eye of the Needle," because of its small size. Some say that Jesus would have meant this gate while saying these words of today's gospel, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven," He meant that, it was not necessary for the camel to bend down with all the load. Camels at hose times were heavily loaded with goods and riders, but they would have needed to be un-loaded in order to pass through. Therefore, the analogy is that a rich man would have to similarly unload and leave his material possessions in order to enter the heaven. 

Wait! I think Jesus did not mention these words only for the rich people alone. He is addressing these pieces of advice in the regions of Judea (probably it is the place of Mt 19) which is not the place of the rich but o the poor. Yes! Jesus invites all the people to unload your egoistic possessions, that will make our way easier to enter into the heaven. Because Ego prevents you to experience God fully. So dissolve your ego in order to pass to the Heaven.

   

Ezek 28:1-10   In today's first reading, God calls Ezekiel with a new name for the first time. "Son of Man". What a beautiful name that explains our true nature. God wants to affirm that you are man, you cannot become God, and he asks the prophet to tell the prince that they cannot become God, because they are just children of God. 

There are different views of God and religion in the Western and Eastern philosophy. The Western tradition says that we are not gods absolutely, just children of God. Advaita, an ancient school of Indian philosophy says, Atman - Brahman are one and the same. I and God are one and the same because I am created by God. I am Brahman, when I realize that I am god. But today's first reading says that it is human pride that wants to say that I am bigger than God. This is the real danger of our  modern world. 

Let us remember! You are not God, you may think yourself like a god. You do not think like God, you cannot predict the future. God knows the past, present and future. 

A man asked Buddha, "I want happiness". 

Lord Buddha said, "First remove 'I', because that is ego". 

Then remove "want" that is desire. 

See, now you are left with only happiness"