By Fr. Andrew Kelly
Every community member the Lord has gathered for Sunday’s Word, body and blood received on the day of baptism a candle of the Lord’s light:
“You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as a child of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your heart. When the Lord comes, may you go out to meet the Lord with all in the heavenly kingdom.”
Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 25:1-13) is about that baptismal candle. No matter how long it takes for the Lord to come, is the baptismal fire still alive in the believer’s heart?
All the bridesmaids (virgins) fell asleep as they awaited the bridegroom’s return. At midnight the sleep is disrupted by the shout: “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.”
Every believer will have this moment. Is the baptismal light still burning, or has the light gone out? The wise Christian keeps the light burning with the oil of Jesus’ words and deeds. The foolish Christian’s oil runs dry for lack of living Jesus’ words and deeds.
If the baptismal light is not burning at midnight, all the foolish Christian will hear is: “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.”
