Day nor the Hour – Reflection on Matthew 25:1-13
Christ’s kingdom of heaven is not a distant future event but a current reality. Contrary to some thinking of heaven being “out there somewhere,” it is already inside and 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 continuous unveiling of heaven. Because we are each unique, heaven touches us with others in our lives and surrounds us with those we have known who have passed. For Christians, this reality is also supported by our belief in Jesus’s incarnation. Jesus teaches us to be people of God and offers us the ability to be filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit. God’s only request is that we use our God-given graces. The kingdom becomes increasingly visible 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 get to know 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) Bible Matthew 25 Bible passage.
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This Lectio Divina Matthew 25:1-13 Reflection of Day nor the Hour is in the Lectionary season of Ordinary Time.
Additional Lectio Divina Scripture reflections are available by season.