Every good deed that we perform towards others can be compared to oil that keeps a lamp burning. Jesus mentions this image in His parable today. We hear about ten virgins -- five wise and five foolish. The wise ones knew that the bridegroom might arrive later than expected, and so just in case they brought extra oil with them. However, the foolish ones did not, and sure enough, they were running short and, in the end, could not keep the lamps burning. What did they do then? They asked the wise ones to share with them some oil, but they said: ”No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.” Unfortunately, when they went to buy oil, they missed the bridegroom and the door was locked. So, as I said, each good deed we perform here is like that oil. The more good we do, the more oil we collect. Jesus will come again, but we don’t know when. So let us make sure we have enough oil to keep our lights burning brightly. It will be too late to get more oil, more good deeds, when He appears. We need to start collecting it now.
