In my family I am the one that does the grocery shopping. My wife, Anna, does most of the cooking and she supervises me for the rest. In times past items on the list to purchase would be written on paper. The only problem with that is the list would be lost or left at home. Then memory comes into play or not. It never failed that something would fall through the cracks.
In our modern day there is an app on my cell phone that is now my grocery list. Technology is great but at the last minute my wife or I will add something. It may come as I am driving at a stop light or as I close the front door. These things don’t always make “the list” to the grocery store. This is especially true if there are one or more stores to visit. Each store would have different items to purchase. The list is so important.
No matter how hard I try there will be items that may be forgotten. Human error can always spoil our plans. Humans are not as wise or smart as they think. We get bored as the foolish virgins. Sometimes we search so hard for one item that when we find it that it blanks out another important item. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Scripture also says in Hebrews 10:39 we keep the faith until our souls are saved” and also 1 Cor 15:2 you were saved by the good news but you must keep to the message. and 1 Cor 9: 24-27 Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.
Our Gospel today suggests that waiting for the bridegroom has pitfalls. Some are so bored waiting for the bridegroom that they lose sight of the prize. Unlike some religions that preach salvation is a point in time. Salvation is a race and a journey toward Heaven. We have to keep the faith and keep to the message and most of all run so as to win. Just like the wise virgins we must be prepared. Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
As we prepare our list for running the race toward salvation, we have to keep it updated. As Saint Paul writes that the discipline of training is a daily task . In the days and the weeks ahead we have to update those lists. Included should be opportunities for the sacraments and worship. However, at the top of the list should be our relationship to Our Savior, Jesus Christ.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please pray for peace in the Ukraine. Also, pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers.
