103 posts 8/31/2007 11:52 pm
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8/31/2007 11:55 pm
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The Parable of the Ten Virgins... reflect
The Parable of the Ten Virgins... Reflect…
In this parable of the Ten Virgins or Bridesmaids, it is not said clearly what the oil of the lamps stand for. But surely it represents something essential to Christian life since the lack of it excludes from entrance into the Kingdom. Consequently, we may think that Jesus is, no doubt, referring here to the gradual building up in our hearts of everyday love, patient, hope, steadfast faith. All of which is well within the reach of each one of us. And in this respect, we must guard ourselves against the temptation of waiting of grand occasions, for heroic feats of holiness to perform. Life is made mostly of small things. Tiny occasions are offered to us everyday to choose love, hope, faith, self-control, patience, forgiveness–all things which slowly, drop by drop, fill our hearts with the oil of holiness. In this area of daily living the Gospel in small ways, ways eminently suited to our small lives., St. Francis de Sales is the great specialist:
“The worst things, he writes, “that can befall persons who have good will is to want to be what they cannot be and not want to be what they necessarily must be. They conceive desires to do great things, which perhaps will never be expected of them; in the meantime, they neglect the little things which God puts into their hands. There are thousands of acts of virtue as, for example, to bear little troubles and the imperfections of our neighbors; to suffer a biting word or some little injustice… Very seldom do we have the opportunity to gain large ‘sums,’ but we can daily earn little ones. And with the intelligent handling of these little ‘earnings’ there are many who become rich” (“Spiritual Diary,” pp 19-20–quoted in The Vatican II Weekday Missal, p 1279 ).
Holiness is within reach of everyone, and it does not even require much time. Only much love.
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365 Days with the Lord
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