Keeping Our Flasks Full

 Gospel: Mt 15:1-13

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

As we read and reflect on this passage, we see what complacency can do: cause us to disconnect from God and get lost in our laziness.  The wise virgins were careful and vigilant, not knowing when the bridegroom  actually coming, but ready with full lamps when he did.  Not so the foolish, and thus lost out when the oil merchants wouldn't open their doors for them.  A simple thing to keep our "flasks" full...the flasks of our souls.  Our faithfulness to daily prayer and reflection requires some discipline but none beyond our capacity, and once "in the groove" prayer time becomes sweeter and we find the time passing too fast and easily slip into "more". If we have not taken time daily for this refreshing experience, we might start today.  We will never regret keeping our flasks full!'

Bro. Rene