Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Monica. She is known to be the patron saint for married women, difficult marriages, disappointing children, victims of adultery or unfaithfulness, victims of abuse, and conversion of relatives. We know her best as the mother of Saint Augustine who led a rather lurid life until through Monica’s fidelity and prayers to God, Augustine experienced conversion and became a theologian, philosopher, Bishop, Saint, and Doctor of the Church.
Again, Jesus speaks today of the Kingdom of Heaven with the parable of the “bridegroom.” The Kingdom is being built day by day, through our “burning lamps” whose “oil” are love, truth, and faith that we offer to God and our neighbor. Saint Monica understood this; she was an amazing strong woman of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Like her we all are on a spiritual journey. God invites us to be attentive to the signs of times and places, to open the door and go to “the wedding feast”, bringing enough oil. This feast happens every day in the little encounters we have with the Lord.
It is never too late to turn our hearts to God restoring and recognizing our holiness. As saint Paul reminds us, “this is the will of God, your holiness.” It is never too late to let the Light, shine out from within us. God has given us his Holy Spirit to use. Let us witness God’s loving presence to others. Let us share what we have to help bring healing and wholeness to our world and each other. Are we ready and awake carrying the oil of our good works to keep the lamp burning?