In the sacred rhythm of the liturgical year, the texts of Feria III infra Hebdomadam II post Epiphaniam invite us to meditate on two themes at the heart of the Christian life: gratitude for God’s unfailing mercy and the vigilance required of those who seek eternal union with Him. The readings from Ecclesiasticus 51:1-8, 12 and Matthew 25:1-13 provide a harmonious contrast that teaches us the importance of both trusting in God and preparing ourselves for the moment when we shall meet Him.
Gratitude for Deliverance in Ecclus 51:1-8, 12
The passage from Ecclesiasticus is a song of thanksgiving, a hymn of gratitude to the Lord for His deliverance and protection: “I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord and King, and will praise Thee, O God my Saviour. I give glory to Thy name: for Thou hast been my helper and protector, and hast delivered my body from destruction.” (Ecclus 51:1-2). These verses breathe the spirit of trust and humility, the recognition that every rescue, every triumph, every mercy comes from God’s loving hand.
The Church Fathers often meditated on the importance of gratitude as the proper response to God’s saving action. St. Augustine, in his Confessions, reminds us that “the heart of the grateful man is open to receive yet more gifts from God.” Gratitude increases our capacity to love and trust Him. In this hymn, we also see the psalmist’s acknowledgment of his own weakness: he was surrounded by enemies and temptations, and yet God delivered him. This echoes the advice of St. John Chrysostom, who teaches that God permits trials so that His glory might shine through in our deliverance: “When we are brought low and call upon Him, we learn that our help is from the Lord, and not from our own strength.”
Yet, the psalmist does not take this divine rescue for granted. In verse 12, he returns to thanksgiving: “I will praise Thy name continually, and will sing with thanksgiving.” This serves as a reminder that gratitude should not be fleeting. It must overflow into constant worship, expressed in both our prayers and our actions. True thanksgiving bears fruit in a life transformed by the memory of God’s mercies.
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins: Matt 25:1-13
In the Gospel reading, Our Lord presents the parable of the ten virgins, a parable of vigilance and preparedness. The wise virgins, who bring extra oil for their lamps, represent those who live in a state of readiness, adorned with the virtues and graces needed to meet the Bridegroom at His coming. The foolish virgins, who neglect to bring enough oil, symbolize the complacent souls who are unprepared for the sudden arrival of the Lord.
St. Gregory the Great interprets the oil as a symbol of charity and good works, which must illuminate the soul if it is to meet Christ. He writes, “The lamps of the virgins are their good works, while the oil is the intention of the heart by which these good works are done.” Without the interior light of charity, our outward actions are empty and cannot sustain us in the hour of judgment. The foolish virgins failed because they did not make provision for the long wait; their hearts were not truly prepared for the Bridegroom’s arrival.
The cry at midnight—“Behold, the Bridegroom cometh”—is a vivid image of the suddenness of the Lord’s return, whether at the end of time or at the hour of our death. St. John Chrysostom comments that this cry is a call to awaken the soul: “Midnight is the time when none expect it; so shall the coming of Christ be, for it will surprise many unprepared.”
The Call to Watchfulness and Perseverance
Taken together, these readings call us to a life of prayerful vigilance and grateful trust. The psalmist in Ecclesiasticus acknowledges his need for God’s mercy, while the wise virgins in the Gospel exemplify the active preparation that must accompany such trust. The oil of good works must be nourished daily, lest our lamps burn out before the Bridegroom’s coming.
St. Augustine urges us to see ourselves in this parable and to recognize the urgency of preparing for Christ’s return: “Let us live in such a way that when the Bridegroom comes, He may not find our lamps extinguished but shining brightly with the fire of charity.” Vigilance, therefore, is not passive waiting but a dynamic readiness, marked by a life of virtue, prayer, and works of mercy.
The foolish virgins’ inability to borrow oil from their companions reminds us that salvation is personal. St. Cyprian of Carthage emphasizes this in his treatise On the Unity of the Church, explaining that while we may aid one another through prayer and good counsel, each soul must ultimately stand before the Lord with the fruit of its own labor. “None can be crowned,” he writes, “but he who has striven lawfully” (2 Tim. 2:5). The time for preparation is now, in this life. When the Bridegroom comes, the door will be shut to those who have neglected their duty.
Living in the Spirit of These Readings
As we reflect on these texts in the spirit of Feria III infra Hebdomadam II post Epiphaniam, we are reminded of the balance we are called to maintain in the spiritual life. Like the psalmist, we must remain deeply aware of our dependence on God, offering Him constant gratitude for His protection and mercy. At the same time, like the wise virgins, we must actively prepare our souls through prayer, repentance, and acts of charity, keeping the light of faith alive within us.
The Church Fathers repeatedly stress that it is through God’s grace that we are able to persevere, but this grace requires our cooperation. St. Bernard of Clairvaux beautifully describes this balance: “The Bridegroom will not delay, but do not let your lamp go out in the meantime. Do what is yours to do, and God will do the rest.”
Let us, then, take these lessons to heart: thanking God daily for His mercy, laboring faithfully to prepare for His coming, and praying for the grace of perseverance. As we pray the Divine Office or reflect on the sacred liturgy, may our souls echo the psalmist’s song of gratitude and may we, like the wise virgins, be ready when the Bridegroom comes.
Closing Prayer
O Lord, King and Savior, we give Thee thanks for Thy mercies, which are renewed every day. Help us to live in a spirit of constant gratitude and vigilant preparation, that we may be found ready when Thou dost come to call us to Thy eternal banquet. Through the intercession of Our Lady, the Seat of Wisdom, and all the saints, grant us the grace to keep our lamps burning brightly with the oil of charity. Amen.