Keep Watch

 

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.

Not that Jesus meant to scare us, but simply to keep us vigilant, he proposes this parable which has become hauntingly familiar to us.  When things are going well, when our lamps are full of oil and burning brightly, we can easily slip into complacency without a thought for tomorrow, or even for later today. This, Jesus teaches, is dangerous and could find us unprepared to deal with life's surprises and unpredictable challenges. The daily newscast inevitably has a story about an auto accident or a house fire that was not in the daily planner. Beginning our day with a prayer for openness to God's plan is a smart way to be prepared for the unexpected.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, your plan for me is best. Help me to be watchful and open to it, trusting that no matter what, all shall be well. Amen.