1 Corinthians 1:17-25 / Matthew 25:1-13
In today's Mass, the Church remembers St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo.
In her life-time, St. Monica converted two persons, and these two persons probably stretched her faith to the limit.
One was her husband Patricius, a good and kind man, but violently temperamental and at times unfaithful.
But through the good example and holiness of St. Monica, he was converted and baptized before his death.
The other person, and a much more difficult case, was her son St. Augustine.
We may have heard of the duration that she prayed for his conversion - 30 years.
And when her faith was wearing out, she asked a bishop to counsel him.
Although the bishop was not successful in turning her son around, he nonetheless had these prophetic words for her:
He said to her: Let him be, and continue to pray for him. It is impossible that a son of so many tears should be lost.
St. Monica had the joy and consolation of seeing St. Augustine baptized when he was 33 years old.
Not long after that, just before she passed away, she told St. Augustine : "There was indeed one thing for which I wished to tarry a little in this life, and that was that I might see you a Catholic before I die. My God hath answered this more than abundantly, so that I see you now made His servant and spurning all earthly happiness. What more am I to do here?"
St. Monica trusted in the Lord and waited for Him to answer her prayer with faith and patience.
We too need to learn from St. Monica and trust in the Lord and wait for the day when He reveals His plan and purpose to us.
Like the 5 wise bridesmaids in the gospel parable, our faith and patience will reward us with joy and consolation when we see for ourselves the marvelous works that God has done for us.