Memorial of Saint Monica
Do you know about Goofus and Gallant? They’re characters in a little educational comic in Highlights children’s magazine. I remember them from when I was a child, as well as from when my children were still children, and I learned from Wikipidea that they’ve been around since the 1940s. In case you aren’t familiar (and haven’t guessed), Goofus is the one who does things the “wrong” way, while Gallant is the one who does things the “right” way, every time. Believe it or not, this is what came to mind as I reflected on today’s gospel reading of The Parable of the Ten Virgins.
I remember as a child feeling badly for Goofus, and knowing that I wanted to be more like Gallant (there wasn’t a female equivalent). Similarly, with today’s gospel passage, I have some compassion for the five foolish virgins, and maybe can relate a little more to them with their poor planning (although I’d like to be one of the wise ones).
Looking up Goofus and Gallant online to see if it’s still around I was glad to see that, besides updated drawings, the more modern version includes the text “There’s some of Goofus and Gallant in us all. When the Gallant shines through, we show our best self.” Much less dichotomous than the original version. I think there’s some of both the foolish and wise virgin in us as well. And it does seem that all ten of the virgins had good intentions. All ten initially “took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” And all ten became drowsy and fell asleep when he was “long delayed.” The difference is in which ones were prepared, having brought extra oil with them.
Although I don’t think this is about only the best planners and organizers, the Gallants, gaining entrance into God’s Kingdom, it does seem to be about being prepared. Matthew’s gospel indicates it’s about being prepared for Jesus’ second coming. Perhaps it’s also about being prepared for meeting the Bridegroom face to face whenever that may be, for we “know neither the day nor the hour” of even our own death.
How are we preparing our hearts and souls? Are we keeping our lamps trimmed and burning? Let us pray for Holy Wisdom to guide our thoughts and actions today and every day. For when Wisdom shines through, we “show our best self,” and are prepared to meet our Bridegroom, our Beloved, the One we have long been awaiting, whenever that may be.
~Eileen Miller