November 8, 2026

As we approach the end of the liturgical season of Ordinary time, the scripture readings are reminding us to be prepared and to stay awake.

Christ is sometimes referred to as the Wisdom of God, and that comparison goes both ways. Just as Our Lord always lights the way, wisdom is necessary for us to see our path in life and to show others the path to Christ. The greatest wisdom comes from The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

In today’s First Reading we’re reminded that we seek out the things we love; and we need to seek out and love wisdom. If we don’t look for something, it is unlikely that we are going to find it. Wisdom is the light by which we see the bigger picture in life. The more we consider the bigger picture in life, the more wisdom we can find. The world sometimes can be very dark, and we need to keep watch for those moments of light when they present themselves. It’s no coincidence that the First Reading today has us keeping vigil to find wisdom and seeking her out at dawn.

In the first reading wisdom is personified as a woman, but we know that Christ is wisdom Personified. He doesn’t just wait for us to find him. He seeks us out, comes into our lives, our situations, and tries to help us sort things out. Thinking of wisdom perfects the virtue of prudence, and prudence the virtue of knowing the right thing to do in every situation and circumstance. What better teacher do we have than Christ?

In today’s second reading St. Paul encourages the Thessalonians who are in the dark as to the fate of their fellow believers who have died. In the early Church, the Second Coming of Christ was thought to be just around the corner. The Thessalonians were concerned because some of them had already died and the Second Coming had not yet happened. They were concerned that the dead might be left out. In the light of the Risen Christ, Paul helps them see the bigger picture. It is the wisdom of the Resurrection: if Jesus died and rose, so would their departed loved ones. Death does not have the last word because Christ has conquered death. Christ sheds light on death and his victory over it, and we have hope as a result.

In today’s Gospel, the lighted lamps can represent charity (love for Christ, and love for others through him). The less charity we have, the less likely we will be ready for Our Lord or able to help ourself or anyone else to find him.

An entrance antiphon in the liturgy for the feast days of virgins summarizes perfectly what is praiseworthy of the wise virgins today, “Here is a wise virgin, from among the number of the prudent, who went forth with lighted lamp to meet Christ.” The wise ones knew the wait for the Lord can be long, so they took extra oil. They saw further and planned accordingly. The foolish ones probably didn’t see much beyond the party they wanted to enjoy, but the party was just one part of what was expected of them.

The marriage feast in today’s parable is an image of Heaven. The wise and prudent virgins continued to stoke the light with the fuel of their love for Christ, and love for others in him; and that light not only showed them the path to take but showed others as well.

Jesus today teaches us that we must have an intense and lasting love to light the way. Love is the only mark of an authentic disciple. If a disciple is following Christ, someone can follow that disciple to be led to Christ. Like the bridegroom in today’s parable, Jesus will appear at a particular time in human history, and we must be ready with lamps bright and glowing.

The foolish virgins proved how foolish they were by thinking they could risk not loving enough when the moment of decision came. They wanted to draw the wise virgins into their foolishness by asking for their oil. We see this played out in so many areas of our lives: that negative comment, that judgment, that suspicion. We lack charity, and we want to suck others in, thinking it will resolve our problems, but it doesn’t.

Love for Christ is not a tradeable commodity. It is intimately personal. If the wise virgins had given in to the others, then there would have been ten foolish virgins left out in the dark that night (instead of five). In speaking of the love of Christ, it begs the question: how much is too much? Jesus teaches us today that the real question should not be how much should we do, but how much can we do.

It is fair to say that anyone would question our wisdom if we did not adequately prepare for certain situations – like hurricane preparedness here in South Carolina. Being prepared to light the way in the event of loss of power from a storm. There is the right light source for varying situations, and usually the more light the better. In our lives, we shouldn’t content ourselves with a dimly lit match worth of illumination when it comes to wisdom. The more light to show the way, the better. We need to ensure that we are like the five wise virgins and stay wake for situations that require our attention to detail and preparedness – especially in our spiritual life and relationship with Jesus.

In Baptism we received the light of Christ, and Christ has asked us to make that light shine in other people’s lives in a special way. Are we leaving anyone in the dark? Are we sharing the love of Christ with them? Are we helping them be prepared with adequate light from the source – Jesus Christ? Are we sharing the things with people that are truly helpful for them? Like a deeply personal relationship with the Lord, one with a deep faith and trying to avoid the occasion to sin.

St. Paul phrases it beautifully in his letter to the Ephesians: “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.”

Love is like a light. It’s meant to shine on the things that are darkest to bring them to light, address them, and resolve them. Love is a light that has to shine in the dark for us to see and to show the way to others as well.

When Scripture uses the word “behold,” we can be sure it’s important. It means far more than just “Look!” In today’s Gospel, it’s spoken as a command. It’s as if the Lord is saying; Pay attention! Don’t miss this! This is important! Do not miss Jesus, the Bridegroom!

As we near the end of Ordinary Time and prepare for Advent, the readings will point us toward Jesus’ Second Coming, when he will return to bring his people home. Today’s Gospel urges us to be ready to behold him when he does come. Like the virgins in Jesus’ parable, we are waiting for our Bridegroom. He will invite us to join his wedding banquet, and none of us knows when he will arrive. But we don’t have to be like the five virgins whose lamps went out for lack of oil. Our God has given us an unlimited supply of oil to keep our lamps burning brightly – his Holy Spirit. We have this Spirit as a gift to help us to be ready to behold Jesus, and share His light with others.

Just as oil fuels a lamp, the Spirit we received at Baptism enkindles our love for Jesus and keeps our eyes looking to him. In Confirmation, we were anointed with oil and sealed with the Holy Spirit. God has put “his seal” on us and placed his Spirit in our hearts forever. That means that we can always call on him for help!

This “Spirit of truth” will open the Scriptures to us. As the Counselor, he will encourage us and pour his love into our hearts so that we can love the people around us. Just as oil soothes a bruise, the Spirit will restore us to health when we’re wounded by sin. As oil strengthens our skin, the Spirit will empower us in our struggle against temptation. And since the “the lamp of the body is our eyes,” the Spirit will keep our lamp burning brightly so that we are ready to behold the Lord.

So let us lean on the Spirit; let it open our eyes and our heart to behold our Bridegroom. “Therefore, stay awake for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Let us do our part to stay awake and bring the light of Jesus to all those we meet. Amen.