Day nor the Hour – Reflection on Matthew 25:1-13
Christ’s kingdom of heaven is not a distant future event but rather a here-and-now movement in that direction. Heaven is likewise not “out there somewhere.” Although veiled, it is already partially present, immediately within our reach in both heart and mind. As we become more aware of Christ, the Spirit, and the Father inside, we can sense and be ready for the continuum of heaven. How the partiality of heaven touches us is unique to each person. This is especially true when we think of those in our lives, those surrounding us, and those we know have passed. For Christians, our belief in Jesus’s incarnation also supports Heaven’s visibility. Jesus teaches us to be people of God and offers us the ability to be filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit. God desires us to use and appreciate our God-given graces. The potential of the kingdom of heaven becomes increasingly apparent when we pursue prayer and the clues of God manifesting in various “day nor the hour” ways and places.
The Wise Virgins by James Tissot (full-resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
The Foolish Virgins by James Tissot (full-resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture*
The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 25:1-13 Reflection – Day nor the Hour
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Matthew 25 Bible passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Day nor the Hour
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