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Theo Tigno•
8/25/2011 3:25 pm
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Friday, August 26th 2011 |
Matthew 25: 1-13
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. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, "Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!" Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out." 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." 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. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, "Lord, Lord, open the door for us!" But he said in reply, "Amen, I say to you, I do not know you."
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for a restoration of the dignity of marriage between one man and one woman.
A few weeks ago, I went for a bike ride on a hot and humid Sunday afternoon. I brought with me two bottles of water: one full size, and the other a half-sized bottle. I thought it would be enough water; after all, I've rode this path many times before.
On the way home, I was on the back side of one of the mountains here in town and I had used up all my water. I thought I had enough based on what I knew. I neglected the fact that the day was humid. I neglected the fact that in the past summers, I used a water pack versus a bottle and a half of water.
I made an assumption, just wanting to get away carrying a minimal amount of water.
As I was meditating on today's reading, I thought about how the virgins assumed that the bridegroom would come at a certain time. How often do we do the same with our own lives? How often do we do the same with God?
The other day as I was working, I was listening to a YouTube video of Fr. Robert Barron. As I went to switch over to another video, I noticed the responses he made to a few people who decided to challenge him on the existence of God. The main argument that most of the people were making seemed to center around pointing to the non-existence of God because there is suffering in the world.
It made me think about how many people assume God's ways, and in doing so, it becomes an obstacle to them being a part of the "wedding feast".
Do we place our own expectations on God ... on His ways ... on Who He is? Do we live our lives according to our own expectation of Who God is?
Are we showing up thinking that we don't need to bring anything? Are showing up thinking that we don't need to receive the extra graces we receive in the Sacraments and devotions? Are we showing up thinking that God's justice is blind?
Love is not proud. Therefore, let us love God through humility knowing that His ways are not our ways. Take care and God Bless.
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