In the readings assigned for Feria II after the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, we find ourselves immersed in a powerful juxtaposition of humility, vigilance, and divine fidelity. The Epistle, drawn from 2 Corinthians, and the Gospel from Matthew 25, collectively urge us to orient our lives towards God with an undivided heart, grounded in humility and constant preparedness for the coming of Christ.
The Humility of Boasting in the Lord (2 Cor 10:17-18; 11:1-2)
In 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, St. Paul writes, “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he who commendeth himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commendeth.” Here, St. Paul establishes a critical principle for the Christian life: true commendation comes not from self-exaltation but from the Lord’s approval.
St. John Chrysostom, commenting on this passage, emphasizes the futility of human boasting. He notes, “To boast of things of earth is not glory, but shame and disgrace. But to boast of the things of God is great glory and honor” (Homilies on Second Corinthians). The Apostle Paul, with great humility, desires to present the Church as a pure virgin to Christ, highlighting the spiritual betrothal between Christ and His Church, as Paul metaphorically describes himself as the “friend of the Bridegroom.”
This humble disposition contrasts sharply with the worldly pursuit of honor and recognition, which so often leads us away from the divine will. St. Augustine, reflecting on these words, admonishes the Church: “Do not be proud of your merits, but rather rejoice in the grace you have received. For it is not what we have done, but what God has done for us, that is our true glory” (Sermons on the New Testament).
Paul’s warning against self-commendation is especially poignant as he reveals his concern for the Corinthians, fearing that they might be led astray from the simplicity and purity of their devotion to Christ. His words echo the perennial call to guard against the seduction of false teachings and to remain faithful to the truth of the Gospel.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins: A Call to Vigilance (Matt 25:1-13)
The Gospel passage from Matthew 25:1-13, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, complements Paul’s exhortation by reminding us of the necessity of vigilance and readiness for the return of Christ, the Bridegroom.
In this parable, five virgins are wise and five are foolish. The wise bring extra oil for their lamps, while the foolish do not. When the Bridegroom arrives, only the wise are prepared to meet Him, and the foolish are left outside, lamenting their unpreparedness. This parable is a profound allegory for the spiritual life, where the oil represents the grace and virtues necessary to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
St. Gregory the Great, in his homilies on the Gospels, interprets the oil as the good works and the love of God that must illuminate our hearts. He writes, “The lamps of the virgins signify the light of faith in the Church; the oil signifies charity, and the vessels in which the virgins carry the oil signify the hearts in which charity is stored. For in vain is the light of faith held in the hand, if the oil of charity be not in the heart” (Homilies on the Gospels, 2.40).
St. Augustine similarly reflects on this parable, pointing out that the delay of the Bridegroom signifies the time of grace given to us to prepare. He urges, “Let us then have oil with us, that is, let us have the inner light of charity, lest when the Bridegroom shall come, we be found wanting and be excluded from the marriage feast” (Sermon 93).
The message is clear: we must be spiritually prepared at all times, with hearts full of the grace of God, lest we find ourselves unworthy at the moment of Christ’s return. The foolish virgins’ tragic exclusion from the feast serves as a stark warning against complacency in our spiritual lives.
Conclusion: A Call to Humble Vigilance
As we meditate on these readings, we are called to embody the virtues of humility and vigilance. St. Paul’s exhortation in 2 Corinthians challenges us to seek commendation only from God, grounding our identity in His grace rather than in our achievements. The Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew’s Gospel further instructs us to remain ever vigilant, ensuring that our lamps are filled with the oil of good works and charity.
In the spirit of Feria II after the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, let us take to heart the wisdom of the Church Fathers, who remind us that our journey to God requires both the humility to recognize our dependence on His grace and the vigilance to live each day in readiness for His coming. May we be found worthy to enter the eternal wedding feast, our lamps burning brightly with the light of Christ.