The Tragedy of the Empty Oil Lamps

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 21st Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 25:1-13*

*First Reading : 1 Cor 1:17-25*

*The Tragedy of the Empty Oil Lamps*

*1) The Virgins and the Oil Lamps*

The Gospel of the day presents to us the parable of 10 virgins with oil lamps 

Lamp and oil has close relationship. One has no meaning without the other 

The Gospel of the day shows the difference between lamp with oil and lamp without the oil

*2) Empty Oil Lamps and the Foolish Virgins*

Among the Virgins there were two categories. The wise virgins and the Foolish virgins 

Once again the dividing factor between the wise and the foolish virgins, is nothing but the oil and oil lamps 

Those virgins who had oil in their lamps were considered wise and those without the oil in their lamps were considered as foolish 

We can see the importance of oil in this context 

*3) Lamp can't burn without Oil*

Without oil lamp is useless. Lamp without oil has no existence

Lamp is used when there is dark. During the day time lamp is not necessary. 

If lamp is needed in the night, and if it does not work, such lamp has no value at all. 

So taking lamp without oil is foolishness. 

*4) The need of Oil in the night*

No foolish virgins realised the need of oil during the day. They realised only in the night 

Day time the virgins managed without oil. It does not mean that they will be able to manage at night without oil

Day time even the foolish virgins appeared wise, but their real colour came out at night when they needed oil 

Searching the oil at night or at the 11th hour is too late and useless. 

*5) Lessons from the empty oil lamps*

They appreaed good during the day. That does not mean that they will be useful at night 

Empty oil  lamps made the virgins foolish and created a confusion in their lives 

Finally empty oil lamps are useless. Even one tries to fill the lamps, it does not serve the purpose 

Empty oil lamps can give us only empty promises. Result is total failure 

*6) Oil lamp and my Life*

Our life is like a oil lamp. 

The whole life is a time to fill the oil and keep the oil lamp of our life ready 

As long as we are in the world we can some how manage without oil. But as soon as we depart from this life, lamp filled with oil is very much necessary

One can't take the empty oil lamp when one departs from this life or one goes into the eternal life 

One can enter the eternal life only with Burning lamps 

If so, is my lamp filled with oil or empty??

*7) Oil in the lamp of Life*

Oil of forgiveness

Oil of good deeds

Oil of humility

Oil of generosity

Oil of simplicity

Oil of truthfulness

Oil of sincerity

Oil of love 

Oil of prayer

Oil of hard work 

Oil of sharing

Oil of service 

Oil of Kingdom Values

Is my lamp of life filled with oil or empty??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*