Wise or foolish?

12 november 2023

On these three Sundays until the beginning of Advent, we’re going to hear three parables about the second coming of Jesus.

The first, this Sunday, tells the story of 10 girls who were invited to a wedding feast, but only five attended.

In this parable, the Bridegroom who is coming is Jesus and each one of us, like these girls, is invited to the wedding. The question is whether or not we will be able to take part in the feast.

1. What is needed to take part in the banquet?

– To be prepared to go.

“The bridegroom is coming; go and meet him” Matthew 25:5. This means “living each day as if it were your last” – “not putting off until tomorrow what you can love today”.

You can keep putting off your conversion and the transformation of your behaviour because you say you still have a lot of time in front of you. And if you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you change, do,or stop doing?

– To be prepared to wait, because things don’t happen as we imagine.

“As the bridegroom lingered, they all began to doze off and fell asleep.” Matthew 25:5. You can’t control or predict every situation. Even when things don’t turn out the way you had planned, are you ready to persevere? Jesus said: “By your perseverance you will save your souls.” Luke 21:19 

– Have your lamps lit.

To enter the feast, it’s not enough to have lamps – they need to be lit, and for that you need fuel: olive oil. We’re in danger of thinking that the fact that we have all the sacraments we need for the feast is enough. In fact, we need more than that, we need our hearts to burn and be on fire. And the fuel, the oil, is the desire for a relationship with God.

2. How do we keep the fire burning? 

– With Difficulty

It’s not a foregone conclusion! Jesus promised us HAPPINESS, not EASYGOING. The way with Jesus is good, but it’s not easy… so if you’re expecting to do this with your hands tied, you’ve got it all wrong. Jesus said you would carry a cross, not tie your hands.

– With Dedication.

We need to get to know the Bridegroom (Jesus) better. Our hearts will never burn with love for someone we don’t know. But the more we get to know him, the more this will happen. Have you read the Gospel of Matthew, as proposed? Then read Mark or John!

Give your life to Jesus. No more promises… just do it! Do it today!

– With God, with is His grace.

The Holy Spirit is the fire of God’s love. So, ask for it in your life by saying: “Father, in the Name of Jesus, give me your Spirit”. Ask for it many times throughout your day.

PPP

– Read the Mark/John Gospel

– (Re)Giving my life to Jesus 

– Ask for the fire of the Holy Spirit: “Father, in the Name of Jesus, give me your Spirit.”