By Fr. Tony Hesse
St. Catherine and St. Anne Catholic
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Just over a month ago, many children were awakened by parents or perhaps parents awakened by children because Santa came. There was excitement and joy in what was about to happen as they rushed to see the new gifts under the tree. Although many parents forced their children to get to bed so that “Santa could come,” if the children had their way, they would have stayed awake and would have been vigilant all night. We are now in between that event and another time in which we are waiting for something special from God. Easter is coming.
“Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Mt 25:13). This verse concludes Jesus’ story of how the bridegroom was delayed in coming and how the five virgins did not have enough oil to keep their lamps burning as they wait for his arrival. Shortly after they left for more oil, the bridegroom showed up. The five wise virgins, who were prepared and had enough oil, went into the wedding feast. The five foolish virgins came knocking on the locked door wanting to come into the feast but were not allowed because they were not ready.
When it comes to our own faith life, do we find ourselves like the wise virgins who were prepared, or are we like the five foolish ones that were not? Oftentimes, it appears as though our society does not care about the future but that we enjoy the present moment. It seems we are clinging too much to the quote, “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself” (Mt 6:34a). Although this passage is true (which is obvious because God inspired it), we should still prepare ourselves today. Not worrying about our relationship with God today or with our neighbors is not a matter of trusting that tomorrow will take care of itself, it is matter of being irresponsible.
Indeed, God doesn’t want us to worry about tomorrow or about things we cannot change, but He does want us to care about how we are living our lives today and what we can change. Are we living as though we are invincible or as though we are open to God’s guidance? Kind of like the letter to the Hebrews, “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Oh, that today you would hear his voice, ‘Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion in the day of testing in the desert, where your ancestors tested and tried me and saw my works for forty years” (3:7-10a). Are we invincible or do we get upset because we do not get what we want, or our prayers are not being answered the way we want them, and then do we harden our hearts because of it? Are we making sure our lives are ready to meet our Lord?
Our faith, lived out by our actions, should strive to love God today, as if there were no tomorrow. Remember, none of us knows the day or the hour. Far too often, I celebrate funerals for young people who were called home to God through death, and we hope and pray that they were ready. During these times, especially with the big historical events happening, I am reminded how precious life is and that we should never take it for granted.
None of us knows when God will call us home, and that is why we always have to be vigilant and ready. Christ is always knocking on the door of our hearts. Are we willing to let Him and allow His will to be done in and through us. Instead of having harden hearts and complaining like the Israelites did in the desert for forty years, we should celebrate and appreciate the good works of our Lord.
Therefore, let us pray that we will not get wrapped up in ourselves and what we want at that moment, but that we do what God wants for us. Hopefully, we are giving Him our all, and hopefully we are doing it right now. By being prepared, we are readying ourselves for the wedding feast of heaven. We are all invited…but are we ready?
