A reflection on Matthew 25:1-13
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
©️2023 Gloria M. Chang
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.”
Matthew 25:1-13
Inner Lamps
Burning with heaven’s oil, the saints steady the world through their union with God. The wise virgins of the kingdom—models of receptivity to God—prepare their inner lamps with the oil of the Holy Spirit long before the Bridegroom arrives. May the Lord grant us the oil of joy, peace, and love—the fruits of the Holy Spirit—as prayed in the traditional English hymn, “Give Me Oil in My Lamp.”
Give Me Oil in My Lamp
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray;
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
Keep me burning till the break of day.
Refrain:
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King!
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Give me joy in my heart, I pray;
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Keep me praising till the break of day. [Refrain]
Give me peace in my heart, keep me loving,
Give me peace in my heart, I pray;
Give me peace in my heart, keep me loving,
Keep me loving till the break of day. [Refrain]
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
Give me love in my heart, I pray;
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
Keep me serving till the break of day. [Refrain]
Heaven’s oil burns,
As the world turns.
Traditional Chinese Translation
《天堂之油》
天上的油(聖𩆜）燃燒著，
並轉動著世界。