Stay awake!

 Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - 8th November 2020

Gospel Matthew 25: 1–13

Jesus told this parable to his 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 sensible; the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘The bridegroom is here!

Go out and meet him.’ At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out.’ But they replied, ‘There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and get some for yourselves.’ They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us.’ But he replied. ‘I tell you solemnly, I do not know you.’ So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.”

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

This week, I ponder this parable. It may take several days to explore the richness of Jesus’s words. In whatever way I am drawn to pray, I allow the Holy Spirit to guide me.

I may like to picture myself as one of the bridesmaids, or perhaps as someone waiting with them. Noticing what happens as the story unfolds, allowing myself to be drawn into the events, I share my thoughts and feelings with the Lord as I am moved.

What does it mean for me to wait?

Am I patient and prepared for whatever may happen?

Or am I anxious, tending to give up, or to try to sort everything out in my own way? I talk with the Lord about these moments in my life.

What has the Lord to say to me?

What happens when I hear the cry, ‘The bridegroom is here!’?

I may visualise the joy, the agitation, the different reactions of the girls.

Am I ready to meet the Lord as he comes to me in my life?

Again, I speak with the Lord from my heart and listen to what he says to me.

I end my time of prayer asking the Lord for whatever grace I need. I thank him. Glory be ...

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