Oil for the lamp may not be used immediately

The texts from Scripture in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today continue a theme of preparedness. Paul proclaims a creed which is difficult for humans to comprehend “For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles”. The faith we are required to have is to trust the experience of the Divine Presence beyond the parts of our heritage which demands a sign and the part which is tied to strict logical reason. The “oil for our lamps” is the desire to be open to the movement and invitation of God to resonance of our being with the eternal infinite Divine Presence. The Church celebrates the memorial of St Monica today. Her son, Augustine, became a great theologian and Doctor of the Church. Monica pursued her son for decades to renounce his self absorbed existence and be baptized. The resonance of his indwelling Spirit with the Spirit of God brought oil to his lamp which, in God’s time became a lamp to guide many.