Are You Sleeping?

A Reflection on the Gospel for November 8th, 2020:
​Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Matthew
25.1-13

Jesus spoke this parable to the disciples: “The kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept.

“But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! There will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut.

“Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

In the past, whenever I read this passage, I would dwell on how foolish the unwise virgins were for not being prepared for “when the time comes” as people commonly called it. Words like irresponsible, unprepared, unthinking, didn't-have-a-clue, would come to mind.


Now, however, I think differently about this passage. How prepared should one be? So prepared that even when they fell asleep, the wise virgins were all ready to go when the bridegroom came unexpectedly.


I have recently been meditating on the different homilies and talks that I’ve heard over the past weeks; on the theme that I am a person set apart, called to holiness, called to spread the word of God. Simply, God loves me and wants me to be with Him in Heaven and this will happen if I live according to His will and if I encourage others to live the same way. Now, that is a tall order!


How to live in accordance with His will is difficult enough, but at least it only depends on me and the choices I make in my life. Encouraging others to live the same way (my call to mission), poses much more of a challenge for me.


Take my children for instance, they are all over 21 years of age. I can no longer drag them with me to Sunday service the way I used to. I don’t check on them anymore as I trust that we have brought them up in the right way. Now that we live in different parts of Canada, I pray that they continue to live as good Christians with their values intact.


With the people around me, how can I encourage them to live a life centered on God? I know that being a witness to God’s love and goodness is one way. Recently I listened to a talk about being a wisdom figure in the same way that Mary was at the wedding at Cana. As women, we are blessed to have the sensitivity and perception similar to what Mary exhibited in Cana. When she told Jesus, “They have no wine” (John 2.1-11), she knew what was needed, but did not dictate. I can be a positive influencer without necessarily making decisions for people who need to be guided, and in this way, eventually lead them to God. I can help my children in this way too when they meet challenges in life.


By being always conscious and intentional about the way I live my life as a disciple of Jesus, I can be like the wise virgins, always ready, so that even when I am caught unaware (asleep) I will be ready for Him at a moment’s notice. 

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I am reminded of one of the more popular quotes from Saint Teresa of Avila:

“May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.”




Liz Venezuela
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