Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church - Harrisburg issued the following announcement on Nov. 8

Today’s gospel reminds us in different ways about waiting for the coming of the Lord. In the story of the ten virgins, five were wise and well prepared, while the remaining five were foolish. The foolish virgins had not prepared to receive the Bridegroom and were caught unaware at His coming. The parable teaches us to live life in anticipation, because we don’t know when we will meet our Savior. We are told, “stay awake because you do not know either the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:13). The book of Wisdom teaches us that a wise person anticipates and makes provisions ahead of time for an important event, so not to be embarrassed and disappointed because they are not prepared. (Wisdom 6:14-16).

The oil for the lamps in the story was a symbol of good works that a person performs during life. We don’t get credit for the good works of others. As with the oil in the lamps of the virgins, it is something that cannot be transferred or shared. The virgins represent each of us awaiting the Lord’s coming. He will come individually for each of us and will also come in a universal way some day. Those who are prepared will be invited into Christ’s eternal banquet. Those who are not prepared will lose out. Each decision or choice we make in life is a decision or choice for or against Jesus. There will be consequences for each of our decisions, good or bad, so be prepared and ready for when He calls you. This way, you will need no excuse because you will be ready and waiting to receive Him. We live between the First Coming and the Second Coming and that is why at mass we sing or say; “Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again”, and also during the creed we acknowledge that, “He will come again in glory to Judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Original source can be found here.