Stay Awake

 

Matthew 25: 1-13

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

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.

A sober warning that has echoed in hearts for 2,000 years: "Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Sudden deaths from heart attacks or accidents are stark reminders that this warning is just not words, but influences our thoughts and behaviors, at least for awhile.  Then complacency or forgetfulness take over till we are reminded again that we know not the day nor the hour. It might be helpful s we begin each day with our morning prayer and reflection to incorporate this verse into it. Besides reminding us of the shortness of life, it might also encourage us to use the time we have as best we can in service to our families and communities.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, life is short and eternity will never end.  Help me to use this day as best I can in service to you and my neighbor in preparation for that Eternal Day. Amen.