‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you’(Matthew 25:11-12).
They were refused entrance into the wedding feast because they were not ready when the Lord had come and what’s more, he did not know them.
Upon the first reading of Jesus’ parable, it has a bite to it when the bride groom says to the, “I do not know you.” Another interpretation is even harsher, “I don’t want to have anything to do with you.” Even before their being locked out, when they asked the five wise virgins for a share in their oil and they were refused.
The attitudes of both the bridegroom and the five wise virgins do not seem to be aligned with what Jesus teaches us about being faithful disciples. This does not appear to be loving God and neighbor as self. The interpretive key may be in the words, “I do not know you.”
There is a similar response in another parable just a few verses later when those being judged by the king asked, “Lord, when did we see you hungry?” and he responded, “what you did not do for one of the least ones, you did not do for me.” (cf Matthew 25:31-46).
The core of our faith is not so much a philosophical or theological system, it is about relationship. The core of Christianity is knowing not just about Jesus but knowing him as a person. As we come to know him, we begin to better know ourselves and are better able to know each other because in growing in our relationship with Jesus, we are healed and freed from that which keeps us isolated or at a distance.
We come to know Jesus and build a relationship with him when we pray. When we make time to be with him in quiet moments in each day so that we can experience, receive, rest, and abide in his love. When we make time to see how he has helped us, guided us, and healed us and show our gratitude in prayer. When we bring to him our challenges, and trust him with everything even when we don’t see the immediate responses we seek and so grow in hope and patience.
Spend time in the Bible, especially the Gospels each day and linger there in what we read, meditating, and contemplating on what we are reading we experience Jesus in a powerful way in our imagination and in the depth of our souls.
We come to know Jesus in the Mass in the readings and the prayers, in the singing, in praying together in community, and in an intimate way in the Eucharist. Jesus comes to us in such a simple way. The gifts of bread and wine become through the words of the priest and the power and love the Holy Spirit the Body and Blood of Jesus. We consume him and become one with him.
Once we receive him, we are given the opportunity to meditate and contemplate, to ponder as did Mary when she received Jesus in her womb. We who have received Jesus are then dismissed to share him with others. It is in loving and serving others that we also come to know Jesus. As we come to know Jesus within us, we can recognize Jesus in each other, and then we can love, serve, and care for one another as Jesus has done for us and leads us on in our own unique ways.
Getting to know and build a relationship with Jesus is an incredible grace and experience. We cannot do this for another. No matter how much we would like to, we can’t give another our oil. We can though share the joy and love of our relationship with Jesus. We can be the peace we experience even in our suffering, express the gratefulness for his guidance, and radiate the hope and trust we place in Jesus. We can invite others to share in our experiences and practices, but each person must freely choose to receive Jesus. Each person must fill their lamps with their own oil.
When we consistently pray, read, meditate, and contemplate with holy Scripture, participate in Mass, and serve one another, we keep our lamps filled with oil and so the light of Christ continues to burn brightly in and through us. When Jesus comes again, he will not only find us ready, but he will also know us and invite us into the wedding feast.
Photo: View from holy hour Saturday afternoon, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL.
Spiritual Stepping Stones 