Educate

Today’s Gospel Text:"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise replied, 'Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he replied, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matt 25:1-13

Reflection: Modern Education has done great wonders; it has brought in development and given ordinary people access to knowledge.

A nation’s wealth is often counted by way of its educated class; for wealth is not just a produce from or of natural resources but also includes human resources of which intellectual property and contribution thereof is an important factor.

Having seen the wonders thereof, every nation makes it point to invest in education and so too society and communities lay great emphasis on education.

Parent will go through great lengths to educate their children in every possible way, making great sacrifice by way of time, wealth and sleep.

Like every good invention and investments which has a flip side so too education; the state of the world with its many problems and irreversible damage done also suggests the evil contribution of education.

No one complains because we rarely see the negative side and see only the positive side and the great contribution of education in terms of wealth generation and rarely human development, with no sound criteria to adjudge it. 

Does modern education really develop character and if yes, is it developed in freedom or is it developed in fear and societal conditioning?

What do we compare modern education? Is it not like an artificial hormonal growth: visibly appeals to the eye and growth is sure but is it real quality?

Such an emphasis on education could even be practiced in the religious places and seminaries of today.

The parable reveals to us that that five of the virgins were foolish because they carried no oil in their lamps; the oil of the Holy Spirit that comes through learning at the feet of the master and receiving from his Holy Spirit.

How many of our modern day parents and those among Christians, who have a role in education, teach the children on the importance of keeping their lamps always filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:  Give me the oil O Lord that my lamp may ever be burning brightly unto eternity and thus prove myself wise in your eyes. 

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