MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 28 AUGUST
August 28, 2026
Psalm 43: What It Teaches us about God’s Guidance, Justice and Hope
August 28, 2026
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
28 AUGUST, 2026
Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
‘Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.’
But the wise ones replied,
‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.
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.”
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
The ten virgins were all waiting for the bridegroom. They all had lamps. They all had the same invitation. Yet when the bridegroom arrived, only five were ready. The difference was not their appearance, their position, or even their intention. It was their preparation.
Jesus reminds us that faith cannot be something we simply carry on the outside. Our “lamp” is our life of faith, while the “oil” represents the grace, prayer, love, and daily faithfulness that keep that faith alive. For us, readiness is not about anxiously predicting when Jesus will come. It is about living each day in such a way that our hearts are already prepared to welcome Him. Sometimes we wait for a big moment to become holy—when life becomes easier, when we have more time, when circumstances change. But God meets us in the ordinary: in our families, our service, our responsibilities, our forgiveness, our quiet prayers.
We keep our lamps burning one small act of faithfulness at a time.
HANDMAIDS INSIGHT
We are called to be women whose lamps remain lit—not only when we are actively serving, but also when nobody is watching. Our oil is replenished through prayer, the Eucharist, Scripture, community, service, and love.
We cannot borrow another person’s relationship with God. Others may inspire us, pray for us, and walk beside us, but each of us must cultivate our own intimacy with the Lord. Let us ask ourselves today: “If Jesus came into my life today, would He find my lamp burning?”
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Give me oil to keep the lamp of my heart burning with Your grace. Teach me to remain faithful in the ordinary moments and attentive to Your presence. Give me oil to keep me faithful, to keep me hopeful, to be vigilant to listen to you, to do your will, to go where you lead me. When I become tired or distracted, renew my oil that I may always be ready to welcome You. Amen
