Waiting

By Lisa Greey —

Are we there yet?  Who hasn’t asked this question on a long car ride?  Or, better yet, who hasn’t asked this question multiple times on a long car ride?  Then, of course, your parents ban anyone from asking “are we there yet?”  Eventually, you get where you need to be.  This question points to a fundamental human experience of waiting.  Waiting is not easy.  In our faced paced tech-savy world, we get easily frustrated when the internet isn’t fast enough and our smart phones can’t find out directions to the nearest ice cream store!  More close to home, for those of us hit by that crazy snow storm this week – waiting for the power to get turned back on for one, two, three, four and even five days is a complete inconvenience!  Today’s gospel reading reminds us what we are truly waiting for in the Christian life – we are waiting for the “bridegroom,” who is Christ, to invite us to the “wedding feast,” which is heaven!

Jesus tells the parable of ten virgins who are preparing to meet the bridegroom at night.  They each have a lamp, which will be used to light the way.  Clearly, some of virgins are more prepared than others: “The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.”  The foolish ones can be compared to someone who has a bible, but never takes the time to open and read it.  Or perhaps someone who always thinks about going to Sunday mass, but never actually makes the time to go.  These people have some of the right things (bible) or intentions (going to Sunday mass), but they aren’t fully prepared!  They live in the moment, putting a life of faith on the to do list for tomorrow.   But then there are the wise virgins – those who are prepared with the right supplies for the long haul.  These people can be compared to those who make time for prayer, who build deep friendships with others, who make time to love and serve.  They are not just living in the moment, but are aware that actions here and now affect our soul forever.

Who are you – foolish or wise?  Prepared or caught off guard?  Are you waiting with purpose or hanging out doing your own thing?  The wise virgins were prepared – they thought in advance and they were waiting for Christ, the bridegroom.  The foolish virgins were caught off guard – and because of that they missed the opportunity for heaven!  Waiting is not easy, and keeping our heart fixed on heaven can be a challenge in the midst of all the details of our daily lives here and now!   Christ points out we do not know “the day nor the hour” when we will be face to face with our maker.  This is a sobering thought, and rightly so!  With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, however, we are capable of attaining the wisdom of the wise virgins and attending the wedding feast of Heaven!