Be Vigilant, Prepare for Christ

 

The readings from last weekend invited us to reflect on the importance of being vigilant and prepared for the coming of the Lord. In the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 25:1-13), Jesus tells the parable of the ten bridesmaids, five wise and five foolish. The wise bridesmaids were prepared with enough oil for their lamps, while the foolish ones did not bring extra oil. When the bridegroom finally arrived, the wise bridesmaids were ready to greet him, while the foolish ones were left in darkness. This parable serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual readiness and vigilance in our lives as we await the second coming of Christ.

As Catholics, we are called to be like the wise bridesmaids, keeping our faith alive and burning brightly. This means nurturing our relationship with God through prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments. It also involves acts of charity and love towards others, as emphasized in the first reading (Wisdom 6:12-16), where wisdom is described as more valuable than any earthly treasure. Our faith is a gift, and we must nurture it daily to be ready when the Lord comes to meet us. As you go about this week, reflect on two things to help keep your faith alive and burning brightly by asking:   

 

Reflection for the Week:

1. How can I deepen my relationship with God and keep the flame of faith burning brightly in my life? 

 

2. In what ways can I share the light of God's love and wisdom with others in my community?

 

Here are two Challenges for the Week:  

1. Set aside time each day for prayer and reflection to strengthen your connection with God.

 

2. Identify an opportunity to perform an act of kindness or charity for someone in need this week, demonstrating God's love through your actions. Have a wonderful week, and remember, pray for me as I will certainly be praying for all of you! Eloy