You have all been in situations that are very frustrating and completely out of your control.  How do you handle yourself in such situations?  Times of waiting and frustration can bring out the best or worst in us.  We need a good supply of oil in our lamps to handle waiting well.
         
We are given a beautiful parable this week about the virgins, lamps and oil.   The point of the parable, of course, is about preparation for the long haul.  The wise had enough oil and the foolish did not.  Naturally, most people wonder what the oil symbolizes?  

Over the centuries, many interpretations have been proposed.  Some of the Church Fathers said that the oil represents charity.  Others have said it represents joy.  Psalm 45:8 speaks about the “oil of gladness.”  Some have said that it represents good works because in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that their light (or lamp) must shine before others, that they may see their good deeds and glorify their heavenly Father (Mt 5:16).  In one of Martin Luther’s sermons, he said the oil represented true faith and trust in Christ.  

Whatever the oil symbolizes, you want plenty of it for the good days when we are awake (things are going well) and for when you are asleep (your off days).  
         
In thinking about this, you may have wondered how people produce oil.  The hills in the Holy Land were covered with olive trees.  They collected the olives using big combs or sticks.  Then they separated the olives from the leaves and branches and rinsed them.   The olives were then crushed with a large millstone and turned into a paste.  The paste was stacked in baskets and pressed.  The oil was collected and put into bottles.  In short, it was expensive and very labor intensive to produce oil, whether for cooking or for lamps.

In this light, we can give the parable a spiritual interpretation.  Jesus, our bridegroom, is the “olive” who allowed Himself to be “pressed” (think Gethsemane, which means “oil press”) out of love for us.   After Jesus’ Resurrection, He sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts so that we might be renewed each day and prepared to meet the Lord when He comes again.  The oil, then, is the Holy Spirit.  
         
If oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit, it explains why the ancient prophets used oil to anoint kings.  It symbolized that they were given the Spirit of God.  Additionally, in St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, he says that the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Rom. 5:5).  The Holy Spirit, then, is the source of charity in our hearts.
         
As Catholics, we believe that the Holy Spirit, or the “oil of gladness,” is first given to us in baptism.  It is worth noting that in the parable, all ten virgins had oil.  In baptism, every Christian is given oil.  Only the wise, however, had enough oil for the long haul.      
         
The key question becomes, then, how do you cooperate with the Holy Spirit throughout your life to make sure you have enough oil?  In other words, how do you increase the oil or the Holy Spirit given to you in baptism?  Each time you receive one of the sacraments of the Church in faith, you increase God’s oil or the Holy Spirit within you.  
         
For example, each time you receive the Eucharist, God’s oil oozes more deeply into your heart.  In confession, God removes the grime from your lamps so that the oil can burn more brightly.   Marriage, too, is a sacrament.   God works through your spouse and children to increase the oil in your heart.  Remember that it was costly to produce oil!  Marriage is very difficult – it is costly, but very good! 
         
Finally, along with the sacraments, prayer increases the oil in your lamps.  When you are put in a difficult situation, instead of grumbling or complaining, turn to our Lord and ask for an outpouring of oil or the Holy Spirit to fill your lamp!   “Jesus, I love you.  Send the Holy Spirit and give me peace and the grace to be patient, joyful, and pleasant at this moment.”  In asking for oil, the Lord will fill your heart with light and joy so that it may shine before others.  
         
No matter what situation you are in, you can turn to your heavenly Father and to our Lord Jesus, and say those three beautiful little words, “Come Holy Spirit.”   Give me oil – fill my heart with joy, peace, and love so that I may shine.  Pray always, receive the sacraments in faith, and your lamp will shine brightly as you patiently wait for Jesus, our beloved Bridegroom.
                                                               ~St. Thérèse, pray for us!