“Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” – Matthew 25:13

   In 1988, a good number of people from our Catholic community gathered in an open basketball court waiting for Jesus to come and take us away. We did this because we read a booklet entitled 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Could Be in 1988. We not only read it — we believed it and lived like Jesus would return to earth that September, just as the booklet had predicted.

       Looking back now, it was silly to believe anyone who claims to know when Jesus’ Second Coming will be when He Himself said that “not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” knows. One thing I did learn from that exercise is to live with the awareness that Jesus is coming at a time we do not expect. He may not come on the clouds with angels in tow as Rapture advocates believe, but Jesus comes in the most unexpected ways.

       He came quietly to take a friend’s mom in her sleep. He came swiftly to take a teenage boy who figured in a car accident. He came suddenly to take thousands during a violent earthquake.

       We don’t need a prophet of doom to tell us when Jesus is coming. What’s important is that we live in a way that we’re ready for the Lord to take us when it’s time. Rissa Singson Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

Reflection: “Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” (Psalm 90:12)

“We proclaim Your Death, O Lord, and profess Your Resurrection, until You come again.” (Memorial Acclamation)

There is a paradoxical reality attached to the Gospel. For example, the death of Jesus on the cross is a victory over sin, not a defeat of goodness. Paul tells us that he is not an eloquent speaker. This does not matter when it comes to the Gospel. The Gospel performs its work of conversion in the hearts of men and women. Let us never forget the truth of the power of the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 1:17-25

17 Brothers and sisters: Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning. 18 The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside. 20 Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world did not come to know God through wisdom, it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation to save those who have faith. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11

R: The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

1 Exult, you just, in the Lord; praise from the upright is fitting. 2 Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. (R) 4 For upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. (R) 10 The Lord brings to nought the plans of nations; he foils the designs of peoples. 11 But the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations. (R)

We have been warned that God can come calling at the most inconvenient of times. Today’s parable reminds us to be prepared for any and every eventuality. It does not cost us much to be prepared, just a little time and organization. It is a great burden to respond generously if we are not prepared.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Be vigilant at all times and pray, that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

Matthew 25:1-13

1 Jesus told his disciples this parable: “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, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, 4 but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. 11 Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ 12 But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

think: It does not cost us much to be prepared to answer God’s call, just a little time and organization.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR  Isaiah 41-44

BE ALWAYS PREPARED!

A strange story! Virgins with oil lamps, a late bridegroom, a locked door, and stern words of rejection! What is this all about? It looks to us like a “made up” story. But the story reflects wedding customs of Jesus’ time. After the wedding ceremony, the bride waits until the bridegroom arrives, and nobody knows when he would arrive after being once more out with his friends — that’s part of the ritual. And woe to the wedding party if he finds them asleep!

          Now, what is Jesus teaching us with this parable?

       Obviously, it is about being prepared. Nobody knows when we will close our eyes forever and stand before God as our judge. I ask you, if you were to die right now, would you be prepared or would you rather ask the Lord, “Wait a little, I have first to go to confession,” or “I have first to settle some things at home”?

       Jesus makes us aware to be always ready and prepared. There are certain things that cannot be postponed. Just think of a student — it is too late to prepare for the exam after waking up in the morning of the exam.

       The parable also warns us that there are certain things which cannot be borrowed. We cannot borrow a good relationship with God. We cannot borrow a friendship with Christ. We must acquire it ourselves.

       Most important is to live, as much as possible, a good life in a not-so-good world every day. By reaching out to others, by helping others, by not hurting others with our words and attitudes we accumulate “oil” in our lamps and so we will be ready and admitted into heaven when the moment of departure from this life comes.

       As always, Jesus does not intend to frighten us. No, He loves us and wants us all to be with Him in heaven one day. Therefore He tells these stories to wake us up and remind us of what is actually important in life. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

REFLECTION QUESTION: Will you be ready now to appear before God as your judge?

Lord, I often live as if life would go on forever. I forget that life is short and limited. Help me to be always aware of this truth and be ready anytime You call me to eternity. Amen.