The Ten Virgins

This painting by Hieronymus Francken the Younger (c. 1616)

The parable of the Ten Virgins came to my mind strongly this morning.  It has actually been on my mind for four years, but this morning during prayer it came back with enthusiasm!  I felt it tied in with the previous message....preparing and filling the spiritual grain bins.  

Matthew Chapter 25 1-13

"Then  the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'  Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.' While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterward the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'  Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

I love the picture depicting this parable.  Click on it and look very closely at the detail.  Although it was painted in 1616, it's still timeless in it's depiction of those that grow bored and distracted with waiting on Christ.  I think this is what Jesus wanted me to see this morning, and to share with you.   He is asking us to seriously consider where we are in this picture. 

I think it is important to note that the messages that are received are not proclaiming the Second Coming of Christ....they are words of warning to prepare for the arrival of God's Justice.  We are now living in a time of great Mercy and by that Mercy are being prepared to enter the time of Justice.   God is being very gracious to His stiff necked children right now by allowing this unprecedented time of Mercy.  It would be prideful of us not to take advantage of this tremendous gift.  What God is asking is very simple.  He is asking that we turn away from our sin and rebellion and turn back to Him.  That we accept the Mercy being offered through Christ for our own good and be reconciled with God the Father.

Words of Jesus to St. Faustina

Let the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy. Write:

Before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice.

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In the Old Covenant I sent prophets wielding thunderbolts to My people. Today I am sending you with My mercy to the people of the whole world. I do not want to punish aching mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My Merciful Heart. I use punishment when they themselves force Me to do so; My hand is reluctant to take hold of the sword of justice. Before the Day of Justice I am sending the Day of Mercy.
(Diary, 1588 To Saint Faustina, we owe the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. She received it from Jesus September 13,1935.)

In the upper right corner is the image of Divine Mercy.  Click on it to learn to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, which is prayed on ordinary rosary beads.   It has been quoted by Jesus in his messages to St. Faustina that if a person prays this Chaplet only once...unfathomable graces will be poured out upon them.   This would be one way to quickly fill your lamp!  Don't waste the opportunity!