THE LIGHT OF HOLINESS

Once upon a time there was an old mother pig who had three little pigs and not enough food to feed them.  So, when they were old enough, she sent them out into the world to seek their fortunes.

The first little pig was very lazy.  He did just enough to get by building his house of straw.  The second little pig worked a little harder, but he too was somewhat lazy, in building his house out of sticks.  They both preferred to sing, dance, and play the rest of the day together.  The third little pig worked hard all day and built his house with bricks.  It was a sturdy house complete with a fine fireplace and chimney.  It looked like it could withstand the strongest winds.

You know the story, the first and second little pigs prepared poorly for the possibility of the unexpected storms of life.  When challenged by the big bad wolf, as he huffed and puffed and blew their poorly made houses down, they ran to their neighbor and brother who was well prepared for the day of tribulation.

Jesus’ parable is about readiness, confirming that preparation is a long-term process and not a last-minute, hurried response.  Disciples are warned that failure to be ready can mean they will miss the feast.  For the parable is not about just staying awake, but about being responsible and responsive when called.

Paul uses the same word agaiasmos (holiness) three times in today’s first reading, insisting that Christians are called to sanctification, purity, and separation from sin. He is reminding the Church at Thessalonica, and us, to continue to conduct ourselves, “to walk” in a way that pleases God.  And what pleases God?  That we’d be physically pure and morally blameless, a reflection of the “otherness” of God.  To keep the “light” of holiness burning and prepared for the unknown time that the bridegroom appears.

The foolish virgins in Jesus’ parable fail to reflect the light of holiness.  Their lamps have gone dark.  They ran to their neighbor in their need, like the first two little pigs, however, in this parable, the five wise virgins could not supply the others’ need.

The ultimate source of holiness is God.  It is our relationship with God that enables us to share in the characteristic purity of the Divine One.  As we are being invited to enter more deeply into our worship of Him, around this Eucharistic table, are our lamps ready to reflect His holiness, now and as we engage the world in our everyday lives