Reflection
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
–1 Thessalonians 4:13
I once heard someone say that we are not human beings with a soul, but souls temporarily encased in a human body. This may be at the core of St. Paul’s message to the Thessalonians.
At funerals, we often say or hear such things as “He is in a better place now.” or “She has gone to her reward.” or “He is looking down and smiling on us even now.” Believers can say this with sincerity and the bereaved may take these words of comfort to heart. Some, however, use them only as platitudes when they have nothing else to say.
In our darker moments, we may wonder—is heaven just something we have concocted to make ourselves feel better? It does sound too good to be true. No one can describe with certainty what this “heaven” will be like. The idea of heaven as a place in the clouds, with angels playing harps to worship a man with a white beard, is an image we have created for something beyond description and understanding. Yet the idea of a Creator who ignores us, letting us stumble alone through life for no real reason, is too awful to entertain.
In today’s Gospel, the parable of the ten virgins offers the sort of practical life lesson we might find in one of Aesop’s fables. Jesus, of course, is offering more than household advice. He is telling us how to get to that “better place”.
All ten virgins started with full lamps. Metaphorically, so did I. The blessings of a strong Christian family, twelve years of Catholic education, sacraments, retreats and friendships formed through shared faith, filled my lamp with oil. I still have my lamp, but over the years I have spilled a lot of oil. Will my lamp still have a flame when I am called to the feast?
As Catholics, we believe Faith must be reflected in our activities and lifestyles.
Our faithfulness to the Church and the sacraments should support us in our daily decisions, our charitable acts, and our concern and love for others.
This is the oil which keeps our flame alive. Don’t run out! We all want our lamps burning brightly when we are called to the feast – that “better place.”
