FR. GERALD MUSA HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 21ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II (1)

FR. GERALD MUSA HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 21ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II

THEME: KEEP THE LAMP BURNING

BY: FR. GERALD M. MUSA.

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY AUGUST 26 2022

A famous old song says: ‘Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, keep me burning till the break of day.’ The song points to the famous parable of the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins. The wise virgins were well prepared to welcome the bridegroom (Jesus) with enough oils in their lamps; the foolish virgins were ill-prepared as they had no oil in their lamps. This parable is about the importance of preparation. Jesus teaches his followers how to wait wisely with lighted lamps. In real life we can see three categories of Christians. The first category: Christians whose lights shine brightly and who are willing to use all that they have for the promotion of love, righteousness, and peace in the world; The second are those whose lights are dim. Most of whom are baptised and confirmed, but come to God only when they are in trouble. The third are Christians without oil and whose lights are completely extinguished. These were once Christians, but are no longer believers, and some of them have turned out to be anti-Christians challenging the message of Jesus and supporting anti-Christian ideologies and all forms of occultism. It was Mother Teresa who said: ‘To keep a lamp burning, we must continue to put oil in it.’ Can our faith continue to be alive and thrive if we do not add the oil of love to it? Is it wise to live in the world without preparing adequately for the return of Jesus and for eternal life?

MATTHEW 25:1-13