November 8, 2026.
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” (Mathew 25, 1-4)
At the time of or death we will be examined on love and only on love. We tend to forget this reality. Some because they think that, perhaps, they can relax because there are other things that they do more or less well – like attending mass -. Others think that there will be people interceding for them, perhaps members of their own family who do live a close and true relationship with God. There are even those –ever more frequent –who believe heaven, if it exists, is open to all, regardless of their works. However, none of these three attitudes is correct, since even if we were friends or relatives of saints, each of us must render accounts with God. God will judge us – with mercy, but will judge us just the same – by our own works. Even more, the good examples received will turn against us, since even having had them we weren’t capable of converting, of imitating those who have given to us. The word of life of this week invites us, well, to analyze these good examples and to see if we are at equal to those who have given to us. Would our parents feel proud of our way of living the faith? They had their own problems, perhaps worse than ours and yet were irreproachable in their behavior. And us? The same can be said in respect to a movement, group, or parish. Do we take advantage of the gifts they are providing? Are we aware that others have not had our opportunities, and perhaps would get better results?
Intention: When you see a good example, think that you must imitate it. When you see it badly, don’t judge because you don’t know what is behind it. Produce in accordance with your gifts.