The first Sunday of Advent brought with it the gift of a wonderful homily by a visiting priest, who described our role as Christians anticipating the second coming of Christ.
After returning home from Mass, I spoke with my 12-year-old daughter about her take on the priest’s message. I asked her what we must do to prepare. I thought she’d call to mind each point addressed in the sermon (remembering, reflecting, being ready), but instead she referenced a Scripture passage not part of that Sunday’s reading or the homily: “We must all have our lamps lit when Jesus comes,” she said matter-of-factly.
I pressed her for more information, and she explained we must have our lamps lit and carry extra oil with us so that we are ready, like the virgins in the Scripture passage who were waiting for the bridegroom. They had to be ready with their wicks trimmed and their oil with them or else the bridegroom would pass them by and they would be left behind, unable to get prepared at the last minute upon his arrival.
I was amazed at her connection between the homily and this Scripture passage from Matthew, which fit rather well together. However, I wanted to see if she could really make the connection from the passage to Advent. I continued the conversation by saying, “What you are telling me is that the virgins who had oil had made their preparations. So this oil must be pretty important. What must the oil consist of?” We brainstormed together and came up with a concoction of kindness, joy, humility, reconciliation, thankfulness, stewardship and selflessness. “That must be some oil! Where do we get such oil?” I asked.
“Well,” she answered, “we make it ourselves.” Over a lifetime we do kind deeds, go to church, try to live holy lives like the saints, go to confession and give to the poor. She then explained to me that this is why the other virgins didn’t have time to go get their own oil and the ones who brought their oil couldn’t just simply give their own oil away. It doesn’t work like that. We each make our own oil of preparation for Christ’s return as we live our lives. When Christ returns, we will not have time to run and do all those things.
“So what should we do this Advent as a family to prepare to make our own lamps ready?” I asked.
“We should give to the poor, go to Mass, read the Bible, and not worry so much about receiving as we do about giving,” she replied, calling to mind another side conversation we recently had regarding a very long Christmas wish list.
Her child-like faith impressed me. As an adult, I tried to read deeply into this Scripture verse, but as a child, she took it literally and simply. “We need to have our lamps lit to be ready, Mom.”
That sentiment struck a chord with the First Sunday in Advent readings from the Gospel of Luke: “And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Lk 21:27-28).
If we were truly ready, we would feel confident that our preparations were made, even as we strive to become holier each day. However, I worry about those closest to us who may not be ready: our friends, co-workers, neighbors, even some of our family members. Perhaps this is how our own jars are filled with oil, as we witness and encourage those around us to be ready also.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. … Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Mt 24:36-44).
This lesson can serve us well throughout the Christmas season and beyond. Are we ready? Who else can we reach out to, to help them be ready?
April Parker is a teacher, curriculum director and parishioner at St. Pius X Parish and School in Greensboro.