Reinforce Staying Awake!

The gospel for today, Matthew 25:1-13, reinforces that need to stay awake and be prepared. Jesus uses the parable about the 10 virgins, 5 were wise and 5 were foolish. The bridegroom was delayed in coming so the virgins became drowsy and fell asleep. When the cry went out for the bridegroom was coming the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The 5 foolish ones did not have oil so they asked the wise ones for some of their oil and they said no. By the time the 5 foolish virgins had come back from the merchants the bridegroom had come and the door was locked. The moral of this gospel is, "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." This reminder to stay awake, be prepared, be ready is excellent. We need to keep it before our eyes at all times. Once again, we can go back to what Saint Benedict tells his monks, "Keep death before your eyes daily." Even Saint Anselm has a great quote for us to think about, "One thing is certain, that is death. What is uncertain is its hour." The reminders are there, we just need to listen to them, take them to heart, and put them into practice. Let us do what we can to be ready and prepared, especially in our faith and in our relationship with others. We want to make sure we are right with God and one another. It is good to have a friendly reminder, but let us keep that reinforcement strongly in our mind and heart! God Bless You!!!