Today's Gospel in Art - Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit

The wise and the foolish virgin, by Jan Adam Kruseman, 1848 © Jan Cunen Museum, Oss, Netherlands

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 19th October 2021 - Luke 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples:

'See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready.'

Reflection on the Painting

'See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit' are the starting words of today's Gospel. Our painting by Dutch artist Jan Kruseman depicts the wise and the foolish virgins.

The wise virgin has her lamp lit. She is also holding a jar of extra oil.

The foolish virgin is asleep and her lamp has run out of oil; the flame has just extinguished itself. She is holding on to her worldly pearls, whilst the wise virgin looks in the distance, with focus and determination.

Our reading is all about being prepared and being faithful. Faithfulness is not easy though. It demands discipline, consistency, and a determination to stick with God, no matter what happens to us in our day-to-day lives. Modern society around us values personal freedom over faithfulness to God, so the task we have been given is not easy. Following on from yesterday's reflection as well, if we truly want to pass on the faith then we need to first be faithful models for our children and youngsters.

If we keep the flames of our lamps lit, by keeping the flame of faith alive in our hearts, Jesus will be able to do amazing things through each one of us.

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/964
Christian Art - www.christian.art/