Jesus said, “Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Matthew 25:12-13

The verses above conclude the parable of the ten brides maids. At the end, the bridesmaids who did not bring oil for their lamps are locked out of the wedding reception and the groom says to them, “I do not know you.” In other words, by missing out on the service they were to perform, they miss out on the party. Then Jesus tells us that we too must stay awake. 

The parable is an allegory, in which the details correspond to spiritual truths. The oil has long been understood to be a symbol of good works or acts of service. Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus compares good deeds and acts of service as light that shines before others. If we do not stay awake and look out for them, then we will miss them and we will miss out on the good things God wants to give us. 

Pray for the grace to stay awake and see the opportunities to serve others that God sends your way today.