Twentieth Day of Lent - Vigilance

Tiger in a Tropical Storm by Henri Rousseau
National Gallery, London

 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,  but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’  Then all those bridesmaids arose and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’  But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
“Afterward the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’  But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25

This living business is not to be taken too lightly.  There are responsibilities.  We are a part of something wonderful, serious and exciting.  The Bridegroom is coming and we have a role.  This is one occasion when we must be ready, and play our part.  Others depend on it.  If you arrive at a play without a ticket, do you expect to be let in?  If you arrive at a border without a visa, are you going to be allowed to cross over?  No one can provide their visa instead.

PRAYER:  Help me to be be ready always.