Pope Francis said that the faith that truly unites us to Jesus is, “faith working through love”.
This is what the wise virgins represent: “the spare oil they took with them along with their lamps, indicates the good deeds carried out in cooperation with grace”.
If we want to be ready for the final encounter with the Lord, we must cooperate with Him now and perform good deeds inspired by His love, said the Pope.
Pope Francis noted that, unfortunately, “we forget the purpose of our life”, which is the “definitive appointment with God”, and that we therefore lose the sense of expectation.
This attitude, he said, precludes any view of the hereafter: "people do everything as if we they will never depart for the other life".