#MyMassTakeaway: No Piggybacking to Heaven

Today’s the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Find the Mass Readings here: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 12, 2017

My takeaway:

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#MyMassTakeaway: No piggybacking to Heaven. . I love hospitality. I love to have people over for dinner, and cook, and entertain. There's something special about sharing what I have with others. About giving as much as I can, of my own resources, and of myself, to help others out. There's something about being in it together, and helping each other along the way. . So why didn't those selfish virgins share? A little oil for me, a little for you. Or, if there's not enough oil to go around, step aside a little. There's room in the light of my lamp for both of us. . It's not because they're selfish. It's because I'm not looking at this story the right way. I'm caught up in the worldly implications, and missing the spiritual truths. This isn't about sharing temporal resources. It's about grace. And somethings just aren't transferable. This parable is about pursuing holiness. And if you don't do it for yourself, no one else can do it for you. . The oil represents graces. Virtues. Prayer life. Those 5 silly virgins neglected this aspect of their prayer life. And they wanted to ride on the merit of those who did. But you can't slide into Heaven because your mom prays, or your grandma loves Jesus, or your husband goes to church. . Some things you have to do for yourself. You have to live your own life. You have to love God. You have to pray. You have to choose faith hope and charity and all the other virtues. You can't borrow that from others. . Don't wait until it's too late and the doors are locked. Stock up on your oil now for the day the bridegroom comes.

A post shared by Sara Estabrooks (@tojesussincerely) on Nov 12, 2017 at 7:40am PST

Thoughts from my blogging friends:

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“Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:13// First of all, let’s take a moment to acknowledge that taking #mysundaybest selfies is super challenging. I’ve included a couple fails for your entertainment, including getting photo bombed by the dog and not knowing what to do with my other hand… Enjoy! On a more serious note, let’s chat about today’s Gospel reading. The part that particularly stood out to me was the virgins who did not bring oil for their lamps. They got lazy, did the job halfway, and it cost them their access to the feast- aka heaven. If I am being completely honest, I have been doing stuff halfway lately, too. My prayer life is meh. My actions are meh. It’s pretty obvious that I’m going through the motions… and that is not doing very much good when it comes to keeping my spiritual lamp lit! I don’t know about you, but I really don’t want to be in the dark when the Bridegroom comes! So what was #mymasstakeaway? Be prepared. Don’t do the job halfway. Keep oil on hand. Keep that fire burning. Constantly work on building my faith. Because we know not the day nor the hour! ❤️

A post shared by Mrs. Andy (@mrs.andy_) on Nov 12, 2017 at 9:37am PST

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William John Wainwright – Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins How fitting that the Mass readings today are all centered on the virtues! I felt encouraged as I read over the readings this morning, and then heard them come alive in the Mass. "My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God." How magnificently the first reading gives form to wisdom – to be loved, cherished, and sought. Thoughts of her perfect our prudence. The Gospel then illuminates the parable of the ten virgins – five wise and five foolish. The foolish women, who had not prepared in vigilance for the Lord's coming, found themselves strangers to the Lord on the last day. Are we preparing in vigilance, always keeping our lamps (wisdom) trimmed, and our flasks of oil (virtue) filled? Let us walk with one another, as spouses in Christ, to get each other to heaven on the last day – with full lamps, bright and glowing.

A post shared by Kimberly Cook (@kimberlycook.me) on Nov 12, 2017 at 10:54am PST

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"There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired." (F.Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby) I taught Gatsby last spring. Some of my students loved it; some of my students tolerated it. All of them were struck by one thing: the vast emptiness in each of the characters. Liquor. Money. Fast cars. Affairs. Longing for the sacred; grasping at the immediate; drifting from the only truth that would ever set them free. Their souls were thirsty, but they sought refuge at the wrong fountain. Where will your refuge be? #mymasstakeaway #mysundaybest

A post shared by Ginny Kochis •Not So Formulaic (@ginnykochis) on Nov 12, 2017 at 1:24pm PST

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…and lead us not into temptation to hit that big Snooze button. That was #mymasstakeaway and #lovethewordtakeaway from the Sunday gospel reading. Did anybody else catch that at the end of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, Jesus does not say “keep your wicks trimmed and stock up on oil for your lamps!” But rather, “stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” In the parable, all of the bridesmaids became drowsy and fell asleep. It seemed to me there was a subtle, second message in today’s gospel; it’s not enough simply to have oil for your lamp if you are asleep when the Bridegroom arrives. Taking care of our spiritual selves – and that means taking time to “rest in the Lord” has to be a top priority. When we are all called home to our Heavenly Father, there won’t be a Snooze button. I know that I am guilty of hitting that Snooze button early in the morning for an extra 10 minutes of 😴 instead of getting up to do scripture reading and be in the presence of God! 😑Pledging to do better after mulling over today’s reading and that strong message! I hope everyone here on IG has a spirit-filled week coming up 👍🙏

A post shared by Julie Habiger (@sparksthroughstubble) on Nov 12, 2017 at 2:23pm PST

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Do you remember the 90's movie HEAT? In the memorable dialogue between the characters of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, the latest mentions the 30 second rule: you cannot let yourself get attached to any possessions you cannot walk out on 30 sec flat, when you feel the heat around the corner. In response he asks him, 'what,  are you a monk? ' 'no, that's the discipline' Haha,  what great lines! Hard to live up to them! We are on a journey, we are on the road , God's ways are mysterious and surprising, stay alert and open!  Today's gospel reading made me think of this. The parable from Matthew 25: 1-13, the 10 virgins and their lamps, gives us the great advice:  Keep it aflame, keep the flame of your faith burning through the discipline of prayer.  Talk to God every hour and more, rely on him with everything. Be dependent on him,  in total reliance because even though independence is exalted left and right, the only truth is that there is no life without him. + + #MyMasstakeaway #thewordofgod #theword #faith #faithjournal #art #ingridblixt #TB2G #drawclosertogod #matthew25 #parable #jesus #heat #beready #keepitaflame #aflame #biblejournaling #gospel #lamp #prayer #openjourney

A post shared by Ingrid Blixt (@ingridblixt) on Nov 12, 2017 at 2:04pm PST

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"Lord, grant me the grace to be awake and alert to your presence and to your call in my life. Make me strong, Lord, wake me up and keep me attentive to you in your Word and in my world." – Kevin Saunders #mymasstakeaway #sunday #catholicwife #catholiclife

A post shared by Annie Deddens (@catholicwifecatholiclife) on Nov 12, 2017 at 3:33pm PST

Your turn:

I want to know your Mass Takeaway too! Comment with your thoughts on the readings, your pastor’s homily, or anything that struck you during your time at Mass.