Sabbato infra Hebdomadam XXIII post Octavam Pentecostes — III Classis
Lessons from Sirach 51:13-17 & Matthew 25:1-13
On the Commemoration of St. Cecilia, November 4th
On this Saturday within the 23rd Week after the Octave of Pentecost, Holy Mother Church, in her ancient wisdom, places before us two powerful readings: Sirach 51:13–17 and Matthew 25:1–13. Providentially, this falls on the feast of St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr — one of the Church’s most beloved saints, a noble Roman maiden who gave herself entirely to Christ. Her purity, perseverance, and wisdom illuminate the meaning of both readings.
I. “Even from my youth I sought wisdom openly in my prayer” (Sirach 51:13)
The words from Ecclesiasticus, or the Book of Sirach, offer a soul’s intimate testimony of its pursuit of Wisdom — that is, of divine Truth, ultimately found in Christ. The sacred author declares:
“I prayed for her before the temple, and unto the end will I seek after her: and she flourished as a grape soon ripe: my heart delighted in her: my foot walked in the right way, from my youth up I sought after her.”
Here, Wisdom is not a mere concept, but a living participation in the divine. The Fathers of the Church, reading the Scriptures with spiritual insight, often saw in Wisdom the prefiguration of Christ — “Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24).
St. Ambrose of Milan, writing on virginity and the pursuit of wisdom, observes:
“The love of virginity is the beginning of wisdom, for she who despises the flesh for love of Christ is already wise. Wisdom is found in holy chastity, and its companion is humility.”
(De Virginibus, Bk I)
St. Cecilia, betrothed in the world, was already espoused in spirit to Christ. From her youth, like the inspired author of Sirach, she “sought Wisdom openly,” not ashamed to consecrate her virginity to God, even in the heart of pagan Rome. Her example fulfills the psalmist’s cry: “I will love Thee, O Lord my strength… Thou hast taught me from my youth, O God, and until now I will declare Thy wonderful works” (Ps. 17:1; Ps. 70:17).
II. “The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps” (Matt 25:4)
Our Lord’s parable of the ten virgins complements the reading from Sirach with heavenly precision. Five were wise — like Cecilia. Five were foolish — virgins in name, but unprepared in spirit. The oil, long interpreted by the Church Fathers as symbolizing grace, good works, or the Holy Spirit, is the interior reality that must accompany the exterior profession.
St. Hilary of Poitiers explains:
“The oil is the fruit of good works, the reward of which is the Kingdom of God. The foolish virgins, though they professed virginity, lacked the works of love, and so the lamps they bore gave no light when the Bridegroom came.”
(In Matthaeum, Can. 25)
And St. Gregory the Great adds:
“What are the lamps of virgins but their bodily virginity? But this is not enough: the oil is charity. If a virgin lacks charity, her lamp is unlit; and when the Bridegroom comes, it will be too late to procure it.”
(Hom. in Evangelia, XII)
St. Cecilia not only kept her virginity unstained — she filled her lamp with the oil of burning charity. Her life was marked not just by purity, but by sacrificial love, enduring martyrdom rather than betray her divine Spouse. When the Bridegroom came for her, He found her ready.
III. Watching with Cecilia
The cry of the parable still echoes: “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh! Go ye out to meet Him!” (Matt. 25:6)
This is the cry of the Church in every generation — especially in her martyrs, who are, as Tertullian says, the “seed of Christians.” The Church Fathers remind us that watchfulness is the soul of spiritual life.
St. John Chrysostom warns:
“To sleep is to fall into carelessness; to watch is to act with zeal. The wise virgins are ever ready — with purity and mercy, with faith and vigilance.”
(Hom. on Matthew 78)
In an age of spiritual sloth and distraction, the memory of St. Cecilia calls us back to vigilance. She is a lamp still burning in the Church — a virgin who sings in Heaven, a martyr who witnesses still.
IV. A Lesson for Today
On this feast, we are invited to imitate Cecilia by:
- Seeking Wisdom early and daily — through prayer, Scripture, and fidelity to Tradition.
- Preparing our lamps with the oil of grace — through sacraments, penance, and acts of mercy.
- Watching for the Bridegroom — by living each day in readiness for eternity.
Let us end with the ancient antiphon for St. Cecilia:
“Cantantibus organis, Cæcilia Domino decantabat, dicens: Fiat Domine cor meum et corpus meum immaculatum, ut non confundar.”
“While the organs played, Cecilia sang to the Lord, saying: Let my heart and my body be undefiled, that I may not be confounded.”
May we, too, sing as she sang — not merely with our lips, but with our lives.
St. Cecilia, Virgin most wise, pray for us.
Amen.