Jesus parable in Matthew’s chapter about the 10 torch-bearing virgins concerns actions to be taken in the face of a delay — for us a delay in the coming of The Lord, Jesus.

There are these 10 women waiting for the bridegroom to make his entrance. For some reason he’s late, and as the hours pass, some of them drift off in sleep. But 5 of them have done things to be extra sure they’ll be ready with their torches, no matter what time the celebration commences. In filling up their oil jars, they take an effective and common sense step to be sure they’ll have the necessary fuel to light their lamps when the groom arrives.

Jesus, “He who is to come,” is identifying himself with the bridegroom. And he’s asking his followers to not just be present, but also to prepare themselves to more quickly notice and then serve him when he does appear. Filling up those oil jars symbolizes the various preparation steps to be taken beforehand.

What kinds of actions would pour oil into our lamps?

Prayer is certainly one of them — on a daily basis, turning our attention to the presence of God’s Holy Spirit as it moves through our lives. Addressing God not only with petitions and requests, but also expressing gratitude for all we’ve been given over the course of our lives, and especially in recent times; e.g., some particular strength we’ve felt, some hope that lately has been rekindled, some thought that has lit up a shadowy path. And not to overlook the responses we voice at our Eucharists: praying that the Lord be with all those around us, agreeing to lift up out hearts and give thanks to that same Lord, proclaiming Jesus’ death, and professing his Resurrection. All these are pieces of an active conversation with that bridegroom on his way.

Another dose for that lamp is the love and respect we give each other. This would include those closest to us, often enough both the warmest and at the same time most challenging service we give on a day-to-day basis.  The concern spreads wider, certainly to  needy people nearby, but also to groups worldwide who are carrying burdens that would overload anybody. Our international Vincentian Family is a clear conduit for this as it works for immigrants and others in those food-scarce, war-torn nations.

Still one more injection of that oil can be given to our very own selves. The reference here is to those many who have lingering doubts about their own worth, who have trouble feeling love from others and especially from the Father of all love.

A last ingredient in that jar can be care for creation. Pope Francis has underlined this pressing obligation, citing not only the beauty and splendor of our cosmos and its origin in our beneficent Creator, but especially the stark effects its misuse will have on future generations.

All these ingredients and more, filling those lamps with the fuel that will light the way for the God of Love to step more fully into all of our lives. What might I add to that glow?